RBL Poppy LogoRBL BadgeNATIONAL BRANCHES DISTRICT

News

District Secretary to run on behalf of Legion
Carolyn Garner, our District Secretary, accompanied by her friend, Claire Webber, are running in the Poppy Appeal Fun Run at Bute Park, Cardiff on Saturday 3rd July.  She aims to raise at least £300 and is asking you all to support her.  You can do this by going to www.justgiving.com/claire-cazz to get all the details on how to donate,  Please help these young ladies.
Carolyn Garner & Claire Webber Claire Webber & Carolyn Garner


New District Standard Bearer Appointed
Following the Annual Meeting of District Conference on 13 February 2010 a volunteer came forward to fill the vacant position of District Standard Bearer.  Son of District Committee member David Whimpenny, James is at present attending Bournemouth University before a proposed career in the Army.  James is a member of the OTC and therefore is well aware of drill and deportment.  His position was ratified by the Committee at their meeting in April 2010.  Welcome, James. James Whimpenny



Appointment of first full-time paid District Secretary

On Friday 4 September 2009, interviews were held at Haig House for the position of full-time paid District Secretary.  Three candidates were interviewed, and all were of high standard.  The Board selected Miss Carolyn Garner for the post and she has accepted the position.  She will meet with the current District Secretary, Jim Organ, to arrange the handover of duties.  Carolyn will be in position in time for the next District Committee Meeting on 21 October 2009.  Our congratulations to her and a vote of thanks to Jim for his work in the past.

Due to the Board of Trustees' recent decision on 2 June to cancel the New Legions Clubs Initiative, Phoenix Branch at a Special General Meeting decided to recommend the closure of the Branch to the District Committee due to the reason for it's being had ceased to exist.  The District Committee at it's meeting on Wednesday 22 July 2009 reluctantly agreed to this request and forwarded it to the Membership Council for ratification at the meeting on 23 July 2009.

The District Committee also approved the re-instatement of the Gulf Veterans Branch as a full Branch (BR3501) within the National Branches District and forwarded this recommendation to the Membership Council.

At the meeting of the District Committee on Wednesday 22 April 2009, Weston-on-the-Green (Airborne Signals) National Branch was represented for the first time.  Present were Craig Treeby (Chairman), Ray Duffy (Secretary) and John Aspinal (Treasurer).  Ray has sent in photographs of the Commemorative tree which was planted at the National Memorial Arboretum in memory of those members of Airborne Units who gave their lives for their Country.  The second photo is of the Commemorative party.

Plaque commemorating those members of Airborne Units who have given their lives in service of their Country
 Plaque commemorating members of Airborne Signals Units who gave their lives in service of others from 1941.

 Standard of Weston-on-the-Green Branch
 Standard of the Weston-on-the-Green (Airborne Signals) Branch paraded by Standard Bearer Dave Fox MBE, accompanied by (L-R) Capt Ray Duffy (Secretary),  WO1 (RSM) Mick Brown, Maj Andy Fawcett and Craig Treeby (Chairman) at the NMA after commemorating a tree in memory of fallen comrades.

Also at the meeting was Rob Exelby who is the prospective Chairman of the Gulf Veterans Branch which it is hoped will be re-formed as a full Branch under the mantle of the District - Watch this space!


Annual Meeting of District Conference 2009

 A successful conference was held in Haig House on 14th January 2009,  The highlight was the dedication of the new District Standard.  This was carried out by Rev John Bird and the Standard Bearer was David Foley, standing in for the District Standard bearer, Tony Proctor.  John Clark was confirmed as District Chairman and David Street Vice Chairman.  Richard Cast and Nigel Watton resigned from the committee, and the thanks of the committee is conveyed to them for the work done.  The remainder of Committee members were re-elected.  David Page was elected as our Welfare Officer.  Keynote speakers were our own Terry Whittles, Trustee for the National Branches, and Ralph Ashenhurst, Director of Membership and Regions.  Both informative speeches were well received by all attending.  Other notable guests were Eddie Dixon and Keith Prichard, trustees and Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Membership Council, with Marielle Postill, Membership Support Officer for the National Branches.  Represented at the Meeting were St James', Y Services (Garats HaY), the Riders and BEWSA.  Unfortunately the representative from our new Branch, Phoenix, had to call off at the last moment due to work commitments. 

Thanks are offered to all attending.
Rev John Bird leads in Standard Bearer, Dave Foley and District Chairman, John Clark District Chairman offers District Standard to Rev John Bird. Looking on are Standard Bearer - Dave Foley, Sandy Davie - Chairman of St James' Branch and Joy White, Y Services (Garats HaY) Committee member and delegate
Prayers are offered prior to dedication Y Services (Garats HaY) Chairman, Bob White, presents District Chairman, John Clark, with a Certificate of Appreciation on his reliquishing Chairmanship of Y Services (Garats HaY) branch. The Reb John Bird looks on.



Michael Baxter of the Riders Branch has replaced Tony Dadson on the Committee.  Many thanks for your help, Tony.