The Royal British Legion SOMERSET COUNTY & BRISTOL Newsletter May 2018 In this Edition Curry Rivel Centenary *** Crewkerne Sponsored Walk & Presentation *** Weston AFD 2018 *** Crewkerne Remembers RAF 100 *** Coopers Arms Support for Bishopsworth *** A Somerset Wood *** 2018 Festival of Remembrance Information *** Standard Bearer TraininG Dates 2018 There are 6 Newsletter issues every year: January : March : May : July : September : November The deadline for articles for the July issue is 21st June- see back page for details May 2018 May 2018 Curry Rivel Branch Celebrates Its Centenary been one of the original committee members. On the evening of Thursday 8 March 2018, the Curry Rivel, Drayton and Fivehead We pride ourselves on being one of the oldest Branches in Somerset and possibly Branch of The Royal British Legion celebrated its centenary with a drinks party in the UK, but is there an older Branch in Somerset! We would love to know! the Old School Room, Curry Rivel. Tony Potter, Branch Chairman One hundred years ago on Friday, 8 March 1918, a meeting had been held in the same Old School Room, attended by ten former sailors and soldiers, all of whom Crewkerne Branch Sponsored Walk and Presentation had been discharged from the Royal Navy and the Army early because of their Saturday 24th March 10am ten walkers from the Crewkerne Branch RBL achieved wounds. The meeting agreed to establish a ‘Post of the Comrades of The Great the 6 mile walk from the Severalls Memorial to Seaborough, Misterton back to War’, which three years later was absorbed into the newly formed British Legion, their headquarters at the George Reynolds Centre, where they were greeted by later The Royal British Legion, making this Branch one of the oldest - if not the other RBL members and friends, who attended the Coffee Morning. oldest - in the Legion. There were some sore feet at The centenary drinks party was the end but the walkers were attended by the RBL Chairman for surprised to hear that they had Somerset, Mjr Robert McDonald. He raised £1,221.50 a great presented the Branch Chairman, Col achievement for just ten Tony Potter, with a Certificate of walkers! The greeting at the Appreciation “in recognition of the GRC was very warming due to 100th anniversary of the founding of the Branch Bakers, who not the Branch”. He also read a message only baked fabulous cakes but from the County President of The kept the Coffee Morning Royal British Legion, Bob Mansergh, flowing with coffee and tea for in which he congratulated all the visitors. Sue and Sarah members of the Branch, thanking Wills cooked bacon and them for their excellent work and continued success in their second century. sausage butties, which was Other guests included descendants of most appreciated by all the original founding committee. Mrs attended. Sue and Sarah Wills supported the Legion as usual and we can’t thank Jane Kwiakowski’s Grandfather, Mjr them enough as always. Maurice Cely Trevilian, had founded The Crewkerne Branch would like to take this opportunity to thank all who have that first committee in 1918, having supported us with these events. The Coffee Morning raised just over £110 and this been badly gassed during the War. would not have been so successful without the support of the community of The first secretary was Harry Lang, Crewkerne and its members, of which we are truly grateful. whose grandson, Henry, was present at the centenary drinks. And a Following the Coffee Morning, a very special presentation took place in the sprightly 101-year-old Mrs Gwyneth presence of Bob McDonald, the County RBL Chairman. He presented certificates Langford was also present. Her of appreciation to June Webb and Danny Pettitt, who have been Poppy Collectors father-in-law, William Langford, had Continued ➔ 2 3 May 2018 May 2018 in Crewkerne for the last 23 years. June and Danny were also presented with gifts Parade led by the World Famous Royal Marines Band heading along the Seafront from the Crewkerne Branch as a thank you for their commitment to the Poppy to an Opening Ceremony in the arena. This is followed by two days of Appeal. demonstrations, displays, competitions and musical items, celebrating all Following that, The County sections of our Armed Forces Community. Chairman then presented the We also have many stalls, stands and displays, you can visit in our “Armed Forces Branch President, Dave Village” showcasing the Regular and Reserve Forces, Associations and Veteran Lawrence, with a certificate for Organisations, the Cadet Forces and much more. his service to the British Legion. On Sunday afternoon, our Weekend closes with a Service of Reflection, Muster Dave has been a long standing of Participants and “Sunset Ceremony” whilst during the whole weekend, member of the Branch having exhilarating Arial Displays take place in the skies overhead. joined in 1958, after leaving the army on completion of his Why not come and join us and have fun celebrating our “Armed Forces National Service. Dave Community” Crewkerne News and Topics reached the dizzy heights of The first UK Armed Forces Day took place on 27 June 2009; it replaced Veterans’ Branch President in 2012 and Day that was first observed in 2006. has been a Committee member for many years prior to this. However, Dave Armed Forces Day is a celebration of our Service men and women, and the believes that it is time to hand over the reins to a new President now that the Branch immeasurable contribution they make to our lives and to the reputation of our have younger members. Country. Through centuries of Service to the Nation, the members of our Armed Branch Chairman, Tony Samuel, said, ‘we will be very sad to see Dave stand down Forces have established a record unequalled in the world. They work selflessly as President as he has been a stalwart to the Branch. We have learnt a lot from his with honour and distinction, in the most challenging circumstances imaginable. experiences, but we understand that we must move on and we wish Dave well in This day also recognizes the wider family: the Veterans, young and old; many his retirement of the RBL. However he has said that he will still be attending the volunteers who support the Cadet Force so tirelessly; and – of paramount occasional meeting and some of our events, especially Remembrance and he will importance and sometimes forgotten – the Families and friends whose care and always be very welcome. support enables such excellence. Alice Samuel, Secretary, Crewkerne Branch Garry Hawkes Weston Armed Forces Weekend Organising Team Weston Armed Forces Weekend 23rd & 24th June 2018 Supporting UK Armed Forces Day Weston Armed Forces Weekend in conjunction with our friends from Weston Air Days, provides arguably the biggest and best “Free to Enter” Armed Forces Event in the Southwest. Since 2014 we have been working together with the Air Days Team to bring you an exciting, exhilarating and interesting weekend and have rapidly increased our reputations, attracting an average attendance of over 100,000 visitors per day. Weston Armed Forces Weekend starts on Saturday 23rd June at 12:00 with a 4 5 May 2018 May 2018 Crewkerne Remembers 100 years of the RAF To commemorate 100 years of the Royal Air Force, Crewkerne Branch members, Sandie and Tony Smith, designed and made a Poppy and an RAF Roundle made out of pom poms. They will be displaying these in one of the shops in the town of Crewkerne, along with other RAF memorabilia, from April 27th – May 4th. ADMIRAL NURSES Alice Samuel, Secretary, Crewkerne Branch CARER’S DAY The Coopers Arms Supporting the RBL at Bishopsworth The Bishopsworth RBL Branch spent an enjoyable evening at the Cooper's Arms in Ashton, Bristol. The purpose of the visit was to receive a cheque for £1,000, money raised by the landlord and customers, to fund two of our members to take part in GP90. As a thank you to them, the Branch organised a quiz for the evening and we are looking forward to more joint events in the future, including a skittles match at our Legion. The Cooper's Come and join us for some refreshments and music Arms are huge supporters of and meet the Admiral Nurses the Poppy Appeal and in the last two years have raised in Anyone Welcome excess of £5,000. They are also hoping to raise 2 teams for the RBL “It's a Knockout” at Greville Smyth Park in Ashton, just across the road from the pub. We are so lucky to have their support. 13 June 2018 14:00 – 16:00 Bishopsworth Branch Dunkirk Memorial House Minehead Road, Bishop’s Lydeard, TA4 3BT 6 7 May 2018 May 2018 FESTIVAL OF REMEMBRANCE - 2018 Evening (7pm) performance tickets can be obtained through County Office and a ticket application form for your Branch is in this Newsletter. Please complete the form and return to County Office. Applications must be received in County Office no later than 10th August 2018. Applications received after this date will not receive tickets, and must be made through and signed by the Branch Secretary. No more than 4 tickets will be allocated per branch, if however there are spare tickets these will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Please note that all tickets cost £10 and cheques, made payable to TRBL, must be enclosed with application forms. Please also note that your seating preference very much depends on the availability of tickets for the seating required and preferences cannot be guaranteed Please make clear on the application form if you require wheelchair spaces.