Great Pilgrimage 90 Itinerary & FAQs Version 4 2 nd August 2017 Itinerary As a reminder, attendees will take part in a full two-day programme of visits to battlefield memorial sites, trenches and cemeteries, as well the parade on 8 August to the Menin Gate. Each branch will bring with them a wreath containing a Remembrance message, ideally written by their community e.g. the children of a local school. These will be collected as the parade marches to the Menin Gate, and subsequently built into a display within the Commonwealth War Graves Commission grounds that surround the memorial, for later viewing by the general public. There will be a national commemorative Service event and wreath-laying by VIPs at the Menin Gate. This will be led by the Last Post Association the body founded in 1928 that began the Last Post Ceremony and is still responsible for the daily commemoration at the memorial. The commemorative event will be shown on large screens in the Great Square, and will be followed by a March Past of the entire contingent of 2,000 or more Legion branches and Standards. The March Past will be observed by civic and military guests from the UK, Commonwealth and countries of Northern Europe. Following the parade, each of those who participated will join with the spectators in the Great Square to take part in an afternoon of comradeship including an exhibition visit and a performance from a band. Attendees will travel to and from the tour in coaches that will pick up and drop off at nearly 200 designated pick-up points across the UK. It is hoped that as participants travel, they will be supported by a battlefield tour guide who will introduce video and other material with the most up-to-date details about GP90, plus information about the wider work of the Legion today. FAQs All new FAQs are marked with an * Registration 1 Who can register our branch? Responsibility for the decision to participate in the GP90 project sits with the branch committee. Given this each branch must agree that it wants to attend GP90 prior to registration being completed.
2 When should we register? The planning and organisation for GP90 is complex. We are looking to have 1000 branches registered by the end of August and another 1000 by end 2017. Those Branches which have funds available should register as early as possible to secure a place. Those who need the time to raise funds have until 1 st March 2018 to register. A financial process has been agreed by which wealthier branches can support less wealthy branches so that they can attend GP90. For more information please contact your Area Liaison Officer (see below). 3 What is the role of the two people who will represent their community? 4 How should we select our two representatives? 5 When do we need to submit the names of our delegates? Their role will be to represent their community over the two-day tour, and ensure their standard and wreath is carried to the Menin Gate in the March Past. The two-day tour and the parade on 8 August 2018 will all be very full days much of it on foot. In addition, in the run up to the tour the two attendees will be encouraged to prepare for and train for the March past. Please consider this and the aim of involving the local community in deciding who will attend. The immediate requirement is for every branch, where possible, to make their commitment to have a delegation there. Branches are able to select their two representatives however they wish. However, GP90 presents a huge opportunity for our members in their branches to work collaboratively with their local communities; raise their profile, inspire the commitment of each other and encourage the recruitment of others. Please take this in to consideration when determine your representatives. The immediate requirement is for every branch, where possible, to make their commitment to have a delegation there. The names of delegates are not required to submit at registration. They will not be needed until Spring 2018.
6 Can we only send one person on to the tour? No. Two representatives will be required, one to carry the wreath, one to carry the standard. Payment 7 How much will it cost? The cost per branch is 1,000, covering all transport costs, food, accommodation and travel insurance. Once registered each branch will be contacted by the Legion s finance team within two working days to arrange payment of the total amount of 1000 to confirm their GP90 places. Branches must make sure they have sufficient funds in place to pay at the time of registration. Given the nature and scale of GP90 and preparation needed this cost is not refundable (unless the Board of Trustees takes a decision not to proceed with GP90). 8 Is that the cost per person? No, this is the cost per branch that is, for both persons representing the community, not per person. 9 Can we use branch funds to attend the main tour? 10 Can we support another branch that would like to go but cannot afford to do so? 11 How can I privately support my branch to attend? Yes. It was agreed by the Board of Trustees that Branches can use their nonbenevolent funds to cover the transport and accommodation of their two delegates. This gesture is very much in the spirit of Legion comradeship and is already being done by a number of branches. If you would like to support another branch with funds then please contact your Area Liaison Officer (see below). Individuals may contribute to the branch s payment by making a donation directly to the branch. 12 Can BPT Funds be used to assist with costs? No. BPT funds, including rents and sales income, are geographically restricted and cannot be used to fund GP90. 13 Can Branch Legacies be used to assist with costs? Yes, Branch Legacies can be used to assist with costs relating to your two representatives or a general donation of legacy income can be made to support the project. If you wish to confirm the presence or balance of a Branch Legacy Trust please contact Finance on
14 If a branch fundraises specifically for GP90 and we raise more than the 1k required, what can this money be used for? branchfunds@britishlegion.org.uk or the legacy team on Legacies@britishlegion.org.uk A Branch can fundraise for any Legion purpose but must be clear to the donors as to what the funds will be used for. For the detailed policy Branches must follow whilst fundraising please refer to the Membership Handbook. Main Tour Participation 15 If I m not selected as one of the two people to represent their community, can I still attend the event in some way? 16 Which parts of the Legion can have a delegation? We are putting together a parallel tour to encourage as much community participation as possible. Find out more here. All parts of the Legion that have a Standard are encouraged to send two delegates. Therefore the following parts can be represented: Counties/Districts Branches (including Overseas) Sub-Branches Women s Section Branches 17 Can overseas members attend? Wherever possible, the Legion welcomes overseas members and their standard at the ceremony. Because of the logistics of travel, it might be necessary to take overseas registration one branch at a time. If your overseas branch is interested in attending, please contact our dedicated Overseas GP90 officer by email: Overseassupport@britishlegion.org.uk. 18* Is it possible to just register for and attend the commemorative event on the 8 August and not the other parts of the tour? No, Great Pilgrimage 90 is a re-creation of the 1928 pilgrimage and seeks to deliver an understanding of Remembrance. Part of this includes a tour of the battlefield sites. However anyone can make arrangements to visit Belgium by their own methods and watch the parade and ceremony as spectators. Parade 19* What is the plan for the parade on 8 August? The 8th of August will be a full day of activity for parade participants, who are likely to be involved in approximately 10 hours of activities, mainly on foot. This follows a full and informative two-day visit
programme, which will last approximately 10-12 hours each day, including travel, and visits to museums and battlefields. A provisional schedule for the day is provided below: 20 If the standard bearer is not the designated Standard Bearer for their branch, will they undergo suitability testing and/or training and H&S checks? 21 There s a stipulation that a County Officer must be present when County Standards are on parade is that correct? 22 I wish to include a youth cadet standard bearer. What are the conditions for their attendance? 23 Does the person concerned have to be a Legion Youth Member? 24 What is the minimum age for Standard Bearers and Wreath Layers? 25 Will there be auxiliary Standard Bearers available for those branches who won't 0800 0900 Arrival by coach in Ypres 1000 1200 Parade form up 1215-1300 Parade commences (circa ¾ mile) 1300 1345 Commemorative Service. Standard bearers and wreath Layers will surround the Menin Gate 1345 1410 March back and parade fall out From 1410 Lunch provision followed by opportunity for comradeship on Ypres market square 1700-1900 Depart Ypres by coach Yes, they will. Information will be made available once the training programme has been finalised. Whilst the Ceremonial Handbook recommends that a County Officer should be present, however, this is not a requirement for the Standard to be on parade. Branches can invite cadets or members of other youth organisations to parade their Standards. They must however understand that every person under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The process of how this will be arranged is currently being finalised. No, s/he doesn t have to be a Youth Member. The minimum age for Standard Bearers is 14 years old. Branches can invite young people to parade their Standards during the event. They must however understand that every person under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The process of how this will be arranged is currently being finalised. Standard Bearers may be arranged by the County/District locally or by engaging with
have one? your local community. For guidance on local Standard Bearer training, please contact your Membership Support Officer. Travel Arrangements 26 Will all branch representatives from one county be on the same coach? 27 Can you please provide more details about the accommodation? 28 Will people be put with strangers or are single rooms available for a supplement? 29 If a Standard Bearers husband/wife wishes to go on the parallel tour will they be able to travel and stay with their partner? 30* Will there be any arrangements for people to attend who are less abled? There is no guarantee as it is very much dependant on the registration numbers from particular counties. This concern will be considered when looking at suitable pick-up locations where the members will travel from. The hotels will be a minimum of 3 star hotels and include breakfast, evening meal, packed lunches on day 2, 3 and 4. Only twin rooms will be offered on the GP90 tour. The members would need to be willing to share if they are travelling on the GP90 tour. Generally the two members from their branch will room together but should they be instances where the two members chosen are different genders and not related we would look to room them with somebody of the same gender but from another branch. Unfortunately not. There are separate arrangements and a separate itinerary for the main GP90 and the parallel tour. (a) GP90 will take place at the height of summer, will involve a lot of activity/movement/travel in a tight timeframe, and will include taking part in a military parade there are therefore some pragmatic considerations in terms of mobility and fitness for anyone wishing to participate; however (b) RBL wants GP90 to be as inclusive as possible, and takes equality and the importance of not discriminating against any participant extremely seriously; (c) RBL will be flexible and consider circumstances on a case-by-case basis anyone with mobility or fitness constraints or concerns wishing to participate in GP90 should contact RBL on gp90@britishlegion.org.uk, so that
RBL can consider and discuss with them on a confidential basis whether a reasonable adjustment can be made. Communication 31 When will we find out more information? In future issues of the member magazine and updates on the website. Contact 32 Can we call or email anyone if we have a more specific query? Area office National branches East Anglia/Essex East Midlands South East Midlands Wales West Midlands Greater Manchester/Lancashire Ireland Merseyside/Cheshire Northern Yorkshire Devon/Cornwall Dorset/Hampshire/Isle of Wight London Somerset/Wiltshire South East Gloucestershire Herefordshire & Worcestershire Women s Section Overseas See below Email address NationalDistrict.MSO@rbl.community vmerrill@britishlegion.org.uk cblack@britishlegion.org.uk sturton@britishlegion.org.uk gpennell@britishlegion.org.uk MSOWestMids@britishlegion.org.uk jmcnamara@britishlegion.org.uk ameharg@britishlegion.org.uk jdaly@britishlegion.org.uk dbell@britishlegion.org.uk kthornton@britishlegion.org.uk ALong@britishlegion.org.uk cbolton@britishlegion.org.uk sstephenson@britishlegion.org.uk fhedges@britishlegion.org.uk khurley@britishlegion.org.uk scoleman@britishlegion.org.uk ajarvis@britishlegion.org.uk wneumann@britishlegion.org.uk oince@britishlegion.org.uk Overseassupport@britishlegion.org.uk