THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION ESSEX COUNTY NEWSLETTER Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success. (Henry Ford) AUGUST 2014 COUNTY NOTICES & EVENTS COUNTY WELFARE FUND GROUP & BRANCH DONATIONS 1 JULY 2013 TO 30 JUNE 2014 DUNMOW BRANCH 200 COGGESHALL BRANCH 120 WICKHAM BISHOPS BRANCH 1200 CHADWELL St MARY BRANCH 227 DANBURY BRANCH 20000 BRENTWOOD BRANCH 79 COGGESHALL BRANCH 100 KELVEDON BRANCH 1000 COPFORD BRANCH 250 LITTLE WALTHAM BRANCH 900 HARWICH BRANCH 500 B GROUP 50 BURNHAM BRANCH 50 WICKHAM BISHOPS BRANCH 500 TAKELY BRANCH 500 THAXTED BRANCH 150 HEDINGHAMS BRANCH 500 SOUTH WOODHAM FERRERS BRANCH 300 COLCHESTER BRANCH 1484 GREAT WALTHAM BRANCH 200 DEBDEN BRANCH 108 FINCHINGFIELD BRANCH 200 GREAT WAKERING BRANCH 3000 B GROUP 50 SOUTH WOODHAM FERRERS BRANCH 300 BURNHAM ON CROUCH BRANCH 400 WALTON ON THE NAZE BRANCH 500 DEBDEN BRANCH 372 E GROUP 112 PITSEA & VANGE BRANCH 1000 WITHAM BRANCH 2000 TOTAL RECEIVED FROM BRANCHES THIS FINANCIAL YEAR- 36,352 HIGHLIGHTED TEXT + DONATIONS RECEIVED SINCE LAST NEWSLETTER BRANCH ACCOUNTS ARE DUE NOW! INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS THERE IS AN URGENT AND PRESSING NEED FOR SUITABLY QUALIFIED MEMBERS TO OFFER THEIR SERVICES TO FILL VACANCIES AS INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS IN THE COUNTY. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT FUNCTION IN THE RUNNING OF THE COUNTY AND IS A VERY NECESSARY SERVICE IN PROVIDING ANNUAL EXAMINATIONS OF BRANCH ACCOUNTS. THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINATION OF BRANCH ACCOUNTS NEGATES THE NECESSITY OF BRANCHES HAVING TO EMPLOY, AT TIMES VERY EXPENSIVE, AUDITORS OR OTHER QUALIFIED PERSONS. IF YOU HAVE A BACKGROUND IN FINANCE, OR HAVE SOME EXPERIENCE AS A BRANCH TREASURER PLEASE DO CONSIDER OFFERING YOUR SERVICES. EXAMINATIONS OF ACCOUNTS ARE NORMALLY CARRIED OUT DURING THE PERIOD JULY SEPTEMBER OF EACH YEAR. IF, AT LEAST FOUR APPLICATIONS ARE RECEIVED, TRAINING CAN BE ARRANGED LOCALLY AT THE COUNTY OFFICE. FOR MORE DETAILS PLEASE CONTACT THE COUNTY SECRETARY ON 01245 347123. BRANCH FUND INITIATIVE 2% PAGE 1
. BRANCH ACCOUNTS ARE NOW DUE. DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION TO COUNTY OFFICE IS NO LATER THAN 30 SEPTEMBER INDEPENDENT EXAMINATIONS THE ACCOUNTS OF EACH BRANCH MUST UNDERGO AN ANNUAL INDEPENDENT EXAMINATION BY A: TRAINED INDEPENDENT EXAMINER (IE) FINANCIAL PROFESSIONAL QUALIFIED ACCOUNTANT WE RECOMMEND USING AN IE AS THEY ARE RBL TRAINED AND OFFER A FREE SERVICE, APART FROM TRAVEL EXPENSES IF REQUIRED. PLEASE CONTACT YOU RE NEAREST, LISTED BELOW, TO CONFIRM YOU WILL BE SENDING THEM YOUR BRANCH ACCOUNTS. Bryan Emery MBE, Rayleigh 01702 421577 Dudley Naslund, Basildon 01268 541484 Major David Swann, Danbury 01245 222760 PLEASE NOTE YOU MUST APPOINT A CHARTERED OR CERTIFIED ACCOUNTANT IF: YOUR BRANCH RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS IN AGGREGATE EXCEED 30,000 EXCLUDING AFFILIATION FEES AND BRANCH FUNDS HELD AT HO THE TOTAL ASSETS (INCLUDING PROPERTY) EXCEED 200,000 EXCLUDING PROPERTY HELD IN CORPORATE WE ARE ALSO LOOKING TO TRAIN NEW INDEPENDENT EXAMINORS - GO BACK TO PAGE ONE! PAGE 2 COUNTY NEWSLETTER Readers may well have noticed the absence of the Newsletter from its normal published times. This was unavoidable due to the illness of the editor however, things appear to be on the mend now and it is hoped that normal service will be resumed in the near future. In the meantime, this edition has been published to fill the void and normal service will, hopefully, be resumed with the September/October edition due out at the end of September. For those contributors who sent in copy that is no longer relevant, and has therefore been omitted, I apologise, but it was regrettably unavoidable. Due to large bulk of E-mails I have received over the last three months some, hopefully very little, copy may have strayed or has been accidently deleted. Again my apologies! At this stage may I ask that when you send copy by E-mail, please: Please use Ariel Narrow 10 Point font Try not to embed photographs in a word document, depending on the type of photograph these can be very tricky and time consuming to unpack and reproduce. Send pictures as a separate attachment using JPEG, GIFF or TIFF formats for example. Use PDF only if you must and there is no alternative. With your pictures of events etc., always accompany them with a short narrative of the event remember I was not there! Also your telephone number. If you have concerns about your contribution speak to me 01702 421577! I look forward to your continuing support and forbearance. Bryan Emery Editor in Chief Copy Boy Printer My thanks to Malcolm & Shirley Ratcliffe and David Swann who, at the drop of a hat will willingly check my efforts and convert the newsletter to PDF Format for transmission
0BITUARY WEST MERSEA RICHARD HENRY VANSTONE 1 January 1940 TO 5 June 2014 LIGHTS OUT SERVICE Mersea Island Royal British Legion led the Lights out service at the West Mersea War Memorial commencing at 2140hrs on 4 August to commemorate the start of WW1. Reverend Sam Norton introduced the service and there was a roll call of the fallen from WW1. Three posies of flowers were laid, a poem said and a song sung followed a time of reflection and the service ended at 2203hrs with lights out; and dismissed with the Khomia Epitaph (there were about 130 present) Richard joined the RAF as an apprentice at the age of 15, serving for a total of 12 years. He saw service in Oman, Singapore and Vietnam. After leaving the services he joined Marconi and again saw 'service' in various parts of the world including Libya. Richard was an enthusiastic member of Broomfield Branch serving as Branch Secretary and Welfare Officer. He was qualified as a Hospital Visitor and as an Independent Examiner. The Funeral took place at St.Mary's Church, Broomfield on 25th June 2014, where he was laid to rest next to his beloved wife who had died late last year. MAY HE REST IN PEACE. PAGE 3
EVENTS & HAPPENINGS WINGS OVER EUROPE Community Fun Day at North Weald Airfield Essex on September 7th 2014. 10 am till 5.0pm. Admission is a mere 5.00. Plenty of food stalls available but bring a picnic for a fun packed day. Attractions will include: a Flying Display by the BBMF Hurricane and Spitfire. O Brien s Flying Circus would also be appearing with the truck top landing. It is hoped that a Hawker Hunter will put in an appearance and also a Norwegian DH Vampire. The Gnat Display term are also expected. Classic Wings are almost certain to offer pleasure flights in their Tiger Moth and Harvard. Plenty for children to do as well with rides etc., Arena displays. County standards will march past the Lord Lieutenant led by Epping Pipe Band and all legion members on site, ATC school Children as well. This will take place near the close. AN ACTIVE BRANCH IS OFTEN A SUCCESSFUL BRANCH BRANCH MEETINGS Members who enjoy their meetings will support the Legion and will make a greater and more willing contribution to the Charity s work. Please can we remind you of the guidance in the Membership Handbook. 1.1. Branch General Meetings must be held at regular intervals, preferably quarterly. 1.2. Branch General Meetings are a means for letting the branch members know what is happening in the Legion, County/District and Branch. The Branch Chairman is to report against the objectives outlined at the AGM. 1.3. A General Meeting is an opportunity to seek volunteers to help with branch activities PAGE 4
MANNINGTREE BRANCH LIGHTS OUT ACROSS EUROPE Members of the Manningtree & District branch of the Royal British Legion took part in the lights out across Europe ceremony where you could either switch off all house lights and light a candle, or leave a single light on in the house. Or more importantly attend a ceremony at your local war memorial where a candle can be lit and a vigil held. Members of the branch took the latter option and held ceremonies around the Manningtree, Mistley and lawford war memorials where once again there was a great turnout from members of the public with 70 + around Manningtree, where a letter from a Soldier to his mother and father was read out alongside Flanders Field and the words to the last post by Sharon Robinson. The Exhortation and Kohima Epitaph were taken by Chairman of the Branch Jamie Robinson. Lawford saw 48 members of the public turn out and 43 came to Mistley. Branch Chairman Jamie Robinson says he is delighted and overwhelmed by the support from the local community the branch has had over the past year. Everything we have done has been greatly supported which culminated in a great turnout on both Sunday for the WW1 Commemoration on the Welcome Home Field and again on Monday Evening for the lights out across Europe ceremony. On behalf of the branch we would like to thank everyone who attended the events of which some were at both and look forward to your support in the years ahead, once again a heartfelt Thank you. WICKFORD BRANCH LIGHTS OUT WW1 COMMEMORATIVE EVENT The Lights Out candle lit vigil, jointly organised by the Club and Poppy Appeal, to mark the 100 th anniversary of Great Britain entering the First World War held on Monday 4 th August, was a resounding success. It is estimated that there were upwards of 150 people present at the Memorial on that evening, where the service was conducted by the Revd. Mike Ketley. Candles were available to buy at the bar and the official outlet of Marks & Spencer and many were placed at the Memorial. The Wickford detachment of Army Cadets, under the command of A.U.O. Jacalyn Prior, carried the Union Flag and Wickford RBL Standard, which were lowered at the sounding of The Last Post. The Club Chairman, David Hickmore, laid a Civic Wreath on the Club s behalf, which will stand alone until Remembrance Sunday. The BBQ in the Club prior to the service was arranged by Richard Guiver and many returned to the Club to toast the fallen at the end of the evening. The bar box rendered 207.20. With further donations made during the Service the total for Poppy Appeal that evening amounted to 264.31! PAGE 5
ARMED FORCES DAY 28 JUNE 2014 There were over 100 on parade, including 11 Standards, A.C.F. Corp of Drums, Air Cadets, Sea Cadets, plus numerous members and veterans of all branches of the services. The parade culminated at the war memorial in Belmead, with a short service commemorating those who made the ultimate sacrifice in WW1. The service was conducted by Rev. Tony Rose, the RBL Essex County Chaplin. FINCHINGFIELD & DISTRICT BRANCH WENT BANANAS DURING THE TOUR DE FRANCE. This was literally the case where with the generous support of Winfresh (UK) Ltd, and volunteers from the branch we set about selling bananas for the Poppy Appeal. Vice chairman Chris Green, accompanied by his son Gavin and Branch members Eric Miller and Robin Lee did a roaring trade selling 600 bananas with some 500 being sold in the first three hours. It seemed a crazy idea at the time said Chris but with the novelty of the idea and the generosity of Winfresh and visitors we raised 550.00 making a memorable day for the branch as well as visitors he added. The day was rounded off with a fun day in Central Park. For a first attempt, it turned out to be an excellent day! We intend to make this an annual event, using the experience gained from this years event, we should be able to make it even better in future. LEWIS SHIELD - 2014 This trophy was presented to Evelyn Griffiths of Basildon & Laindon branch at the recent annual conference in Torquay. It is an award for the disabled member of the RBL who was adjudged by the Cups & Shields Adjudication Group to have by leadership and guidance, provided outstanding relief to other disabled Legion members whilst being themselves disabled and generally overcoming their own disability. Evelyn is registered blind. To share in this very special award, the branch held a dinner/dance in her honour. The Deputy County Treasurer, Dudley Naslund attended, read a citation, and presented her with a special certificate from her branch colleagues. The 'photo shows Evelyn her husband Chris, and Dudley Naslund. PAGE 6
MORE! FUNDRAISING HOCKLEY BRANCH Len James, the PAO for Hockley Essex organised a village fete on Hockleys village green on Saturday 20 th July. Len engaged the services of some local Belly Dancers to entertain the crowds and even though the event was washed out 2 hours early when the Essex heavens opened with a torrential down pour, they still managed to raise just over 1200.00. Debbie Ballard, the Branch Secretary also handed over a cheque for 1000 from money she raised from taking part in a local Colourthon Walk and putting on a local show. DEBDEN BRANCH WW1 CANDLELIT VIGIL MONDAY 4 AUGUST 2014 About 100 Debden Parishioners gathered around the War Memorial at the Village Memorial Hall between 10 pm and 11 pm on Monday 4 th August to commemorate the Centenary of the start of the First World War with a Candlelit Vigil. The Vicar of Debden the Reverend Hilary Davey conducted prayers and the Branch President, Mr Mike Barton recited the poem aftermath by Siegfried Sassoon. The names of the 26 parishioners who lost their lives in the Great War were read out by the Chairman of Debden Branch RBL, Colonel (Retd) Roger Burgess OBE and Branch Member, Mr John Arkwright. The Branch Vice Chairman, Mr Richard Cawte, read out details of the individuals and where they lost their lives. Candles for each of the fallen were lit by Mr Andrew Tetlow, Chairman of Debden Parish Council. The Branch Standard bearing its new Lister Cup Scroll remained on parade throughout carried by the Branch Standard Bearer, Mr Jim Watson. LEN JAMES AND BELLY DANCERS DEBBIE BALLARD (RIGHT) COLOURTHON WALKING Mr Andrew Tetlow, Debden Parish Council Chairman, lighting candles for the fallen at the Memorial. PAGE 7