The Royal British Legion

SOMERSET COUNTY & BRISTOL

NewsletterMay 2015

In this Edition

There are 6 Newsletter issues every year:January : March : May : July : September : November

The deadline for articles for the July issue is 19th June - see back page for details

New CountyPresident Introduced

***Weston-s-Mare

Drop-In Centre Opens***

VE Day 70thAnniversary Events

***Awards Presented

***Burnham-on-Sea

Branch Re-Launch***

Wincanton'sPasschendaele Tree

***2015 Festival of

Remembrance Info &Booking Forms

***Standard Bearer

Training Information& Dates

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Introducing our new County PresidentBOB MANSERGH OBE MA LLB

Bob Mansergh was educated at Haileybury College,joined the Royal Navy in 1976 and graduated with anhonours law degree from Southampton University in1979. He spent his early naval career in submarines,passing the Perisher submarine command course andthen commanding 2 Trafalgar Class nuclear submarinesin the early 90s. He subsequently taught the Perishercourse for 2 years, before joining the Permanent JointHeadquarters in 1998, shortly after it stood up. As aCaptain, he led the reorganisation of the Fleet HQ in2000, worked as Director of Naval Intelligence in London and then deployed to USCentral Command in Tampa, Florida for 2 years, before attending the Royal Collegeof Defence Studies in 2005, gaining an MA in International Relations on the course.

Bob was Military Assistant to the first Chief of Defence Materiel in the embryonicDefence Equipment and Support organisation in Bristol before returning to the USA,on promotion to Commodore, to be the Coalition Director of a NATO maritimeoperations think-tank in Norfolk, Virginia. He was awarded the Legion of Merit bythe US Government for his leadership of this multi-national organisation. Onreturning to UK in early 2010, he became Director of the Policy Division in MODresponsible for providing strategic direction to the UK’s Reserve and Cadet Forces.Bob was appointed OBE in 2012.

After leaving the Royal Navy, Bob set up 3rd Millennium Consulting and has beenfollowing a portfolio consultancy career since. This has included: supporting a start-up company helping ex-Forces personnel undergoing resettlement to start their ownbusinesses; providing subject matter expertise and strategic advice to the Board ofBoeing Defence UK; and acting as the retained Defence Advisor to Leafield Logisticsand Technical Services Ltd.

Bob ismarried toSarah-Janewho isacharteredmechanical engineer. Theyhave twodaughters aged 19 and 14 and live in south Somerset. His interests include all typesof fishing, sailing, water-skiing and playing the piano and tenor saxophone, both lesswell thanhis family andneighbourswouldwish. Hehas the honour to be theCountyPresident of the Royal British Legion in Somerset and President of the Milborne Portbranch. He is also a member of the Somerset and Dorset County Committee of theMarine Society and Sea Cadets and helped establish a local charity - Key4Life, whichhelps young offenders avoid re-offending on release from prison.

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On Monday 25th February, the Legion launched a new welfare drop-in service at theWeston-super-MareBranchoffice in Somerset bringing advice and support even closerto theArmedForces community.Themajority of staff volunteering at the new facility arelocal Branch members who have undertaken the Legion’s new Advice and InformationVolunteer training to support the new ways the Legion is working to support ourbeneficiaries.

The new drop-in service will deliver advice and support to Service personnel, veteransand their dependants. Volunteers willprovide advice on debt managementand help people to apply for socialhousing as well as signpost people toother welfare services. Volunteers willalso be available to discuss membershipwith those wanting to join the Legion.

Mike Pharaoh, Weston-super-MareBranch Chairman and Legion Adviceand Information Volunteer, said: “Ourbranch was very keen to support theLegion’s mission to bring our servicescloser to those who need it most and offering the Branch premises to host the Legionwelfare presence in Weston-super-Mare seemed the obvious way to help.

“TheBranchmembers have really got behind the ideawith a number of themattendingthe training to become Advice and Information Volunteers and offering their time to staffthe facility, five days a week here at our Branch office.”

The volunteers will work alongside Legion welfare staff and will be available for face-to-face meetings to discuss any issues ranging from advice on housing support, welfare,managing personal finances and much more.

Alistair Maxwell, the Legion’s Area Manager for Somerset and Wiltshire, added: “Bothnationally and locally, the Legion recognises that the profile of our beneficiaries isconstantlychangingand thatwemustcontinue to improveourservices to reflect thatneed.

“After recentchangesat theLegion,beneficiariescannowpickup thephone toa trainedadviser via our national Freephone number, look online for information or come alongtoourwelfare sessionsacrossSomerset andWiltshirewhere theycan talk face to facewithour team.”

The Weston-super-Mare Branch Office is located at 77 Meadow Street, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, BS 23 1QL, and is open for welfare drop-in sessions between 10 am to2 pm, Monday to Friday.

Weston-Super-Mare Drop-in Centre Opens

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May 2015

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Milborne Port BranchVE Day 70th Anniversary – 8th - 10th MayThe 70th Anniversary of VE Day will be celebrated all over the country over theweekend of 8th -10th May. In May 1945 VE Day marked the end of hostilities andheralded the end of World War II in Europe. On Saturday 9th May the Milborne PortBranch of the Royal British Legion will be holding a barbecue at midday in ChurchHouseGardenwhichwewould like tomake a community event. So if youwould liketo come (and you do not have to be a member of the Legion!) please get in touch withme on the number below. If you know any veterans, family members or friends whoremember that day in 1945 please also let me know. Further details about thebarbecue will appear in the May magazine, but tickets will be available at £10 perhead (£5 for childrenunder 12) to include a first drink.Helpus to celebrate this specialanniversary! All income raised from this event will go to the Poppy Appeal. We lookforward to seeing you there.

Burnham-on-Sea Branch Summer EventsMedieval Tournament - July 19thThis year we will be running our third Medieval Tournament called 'BackalongAvalon'. It features local people and school children performing jousting,wrestling, sword fighting and dancing. The event will take place on the beach tothe right of the Pavilion in Burnham-on-Sea and starts at 2.30pm with the arrival ofthe King and Queen and their Court.

Kite Festival - September 12th & 13thIn September the branch is organising its first Kite Festival. The event will run overthe Saturday and Sunday, 12th -13th September. Our beach is superbly equippedto cater for this event with access for cars at both ends of the beach allowing for 4x 4s to act as anchors for the large kites in the displays. The Esplanade offers a widewalkway where stalls can be booked to provide food and crafts for all thoseattending. Burnham is renowned for its wind and has one of the longestuninterrupted stretchesofbeach inEurope. Saturdayevening events includeanighttime display and beach party. The event will raise funds for the recently re-startedRBL Branch in Burnham-on-Sea.

Information forbotheventscanbe foundatwww.burnham-on-seabritishlegion.org.uk.or by calling 01278 238714.

Robin Bawtree, Chairman

Tel: 01963-251359 or RMHBawtree@aol.com

Gaynor Brown - Burnham-on-Sea Branch

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Clevedon Branch held a presentation of Certificates of Achievement at their meetingin February 2015. These certificates were awarded to Mr Ray Roberts MBE, Mr SteveLillington, Ms Pat Carroll and Mrs Sarah Lillington, to recognise their hard work anddedication to the Branch Poppy Appeal, spending many hours organising events toraise funds. In 2014 we raised over £31,500 due to their efforts - a fantastic total!

Bob Blackwell, Chairman - Clevedon Branch

Clevedon Branch Awards Presentation

County Certificate of Appreciation PresentationOn the 7th April 2015, at the Lawns Club inTaunton, I presented Des Wilson, TauntonRBL Branch Chairman with a CountyCertificate of Appreciation on behalf ofSomerset County and the County Chairman.Des is a stalwart of the Legion, and workstirelessly for the RBL members of his branchand local community, regularly visitingpeople in their ownhomes and in hospital.Hiscertificate was awarded "In gratefulrecognition of his inspirational commitmentand outstanding service".

Kate Hurley - MSO/County Secretary

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Don’t sit in solitude.

Join our sociable ranks, and have a majorly good time.

Light hearted, chat & banter,

games and interesting pastimes.

Please Call Pop-In Shop 0333 011 4400 as places are limited

HERE at the POP in Shop 60 Union St, Broadmead, Bristol BS1 2DL

EVERY MONDAY 2PM—4PM

Lets talk

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On Saturday 28th March, the Royal British Legion Burnham-on-Sea Branch heldtheir official re-launch to let everyone know that the BurnhamBranch is nowopenfor business. The day was a fantastic success with over 100 people attending.There was a tombola, raffle, guess the name of the teddy and many other thingsfor people to take part in and the tea, coffee and cakes went down especially wellwith many going back for more.We had live entertainment with the Burnham-on-sea U3A ukulele group whokindly gave their time for free to entertain everyone and were a great success.The Committee would like to say a great big thank you to all those who kindlydonated prizes for the raffleRed Berry Recruitment – Amazing HamperB&M Meats (Junction 24 every Saturday) – Breakfast Hamper and Meat HamperGriffin Toilet Hire Ltd. – Bottle of wine and other itemsSander Garden World – VoucherWe would also like to thank everyone else who donated not only prizes but theirtime into making this event the success it was. Without these people we wouldnot be able to open.Congratulations to all those that won prizes, and to those who bought tickets andweren’t so lucky, thank you for taking part.This is just the start of the new Burnham Branch and we are hoping to run manyevents in the future ... watch this space!If you have time we hold a coffee morning every Thursday and all are welcometo pop in for a cuppa and a chat and maybe meet a few old friends or make somenew ones.

Burnham-on-Sea Branch Celebrate Their Re-Launch

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Tony Goddard, chairman of Wincanton Royal British Legion, regularly visits theFirst World War battlefields of France and Belgium and in 2010 was making oneof his visits to Passchendaele in Belgian Flanders. It was October and whilst at thelarge Tyne Cot British Cemetery on the high ground at Passchendaele Ridge, nearYpres, he noticed that the oak trees there were shedding acorns and he picked upa handful. The name Passchendaele has become a symbol of British sacrifice inthe Great War.When Tony got home he planted the acorns in pots and one of them grew into atiny sapling. Over the years it grew large enough so Tony felt it would be fittingto plant it in Wincanton as many soldiers from Wincanton served and died, notjust in the Great War but in the area of Flanders. The Wincanton War MemorialHall has a close association with Wincanton Royal British Legion and already hasthe town’s War Memorial in its grounds so Tony asked if they would agree to theplanting of the tree in its grounds too. As it currently it is the 100th anniversaryof the Great War Tony hopes the tree will be a lasting tribute to all those fromWincanton who gave their lives in that war.

Tony GoddardChairman, Wincanton Branch

Wincanton Branch Plant a Tree for Passchendaele

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Holiday AccommodationSouthern Spain, near Benelmadena.

2 bedroom, 2 bathroom beachside apartment in a quiet village.Contact Mr Nick Greedy

on 01823 278746 or 00447551125512

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To honour the 75th anniversary of the evacuation of Dunkirk, MadCap TheatreProductions has worked with a very established writer to bring a touring musicalto local stages, to celebrate the home front and the British spirit during 1940. Theshow, set in Thanet in the weeks leading up to Operation Dynamo, tracks thematuring of a young performer and his friends as they all experience life, love andloss.

On the 11th, 12th and 13th of June this year, MadCap Theatre Productions will

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present Postcards from the Seaside at the Mission Theatre in Bath . Please see ourwebsite: http://www.madcaptheatreproductions.co.uk/postcards-from-the-seaside.html for more information.

We can offer TRBL members in the area specially discounted rates for the show.Either a discounted group offer (buy 9 tickets and get one free) or a certain numberof tickets (say 20) could be set aside each night at a lower price.

Lecture by

Professor Sir Hew Strachan KB

THE FIRST WORLD WAR TODAY As well as being an academic of international repute and a prolific author on books on the First World War, the British Army and the changing nature of war, he is also:

• A member of Strategic Advisory Panel of the Chief of the Defence Staff, • A member of the UK Defence Academy Advisory Board, • A member of the Council of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, • A specialist Adviser to the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy.

In December 2012, Foreign Policy magazine included him in its list of top global thinkers for the year. The Lecture will be followed by an interval with drinks and finger food and then a question and answer session.

DON’T MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR FROM THE COUNTRY’S

LEADING MILITARY HISTORIAN AND GOVERNMENT ADVISOR

Friday May 15th 2015 7.00 pm – 9.00 pm

Baltonsborough Village Hall BA6 8PX

Tickets ; £10 including 1 glass of wine and nibbles Bought from: martinjlfox@gmail.com 01458850468 suepeto@gmail.com 01458850281 beverleysessions@gmail.com 01458850754 jennifermartin600@gmail.com 01458850054

A Baltonsborough Community Association Sponsored Event

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Gurkha 200Charity Concert

Celebrating 200 Years of Gurkha Service to the Crown

The renowned Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas will perform in the Cathedralon Saturday 25th July at 7.00pm to celebrate 200 years of Gurkha Serviceto the Crown. The Concert will be in aid of The Gurkha Welfare Trust, thecountry's leading charity supporting Gurkha veterans, their widows and theircommunities in Nepal. Tickets, which range in price from £10 - £25, areavailable fromOpus13, 14StMichael'sHill, Bristol, BS28DT fromSunday 1stMarch. Website: www.opus13.co.uk; email: shop@opus13.co.uk; Tel: 0117923 0164. Front Nave reserved £25 (includes pre-concert Reception anddrinks); Rear Nave reserved £20; West End £15; Side Aisles £10.http://bristol-cathedral.co.uk/whats-on/

Thank You!A big thank you to East Pennard RBL Branch for their very kind donation of£1000 to the County Welfare Fund.

...and

A big thank you to Portishead RBL Branch for their very kind donation of £250to the Somerset County Welfare Fund.

Robin Dowdeswell of Wells Branch has decided to stand down from his roleproducing Accounts and as Senior County Auditor. We thank him for all hishard work and wish him well in the future. Ed.

Visits to Area Office – SwindonIf youwould like to visit theAreaOffice/Pop inCentre in Swindonplease contactIsobel Thompson on 0333 011 4437.

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FESTIVAL OF REMEMBRANCE - 2015This year's Festival of Remembrance will take place at the Royal Albert Hall on 7th

November. For the evening performance tickets can be obtained through CountyOffice and a ticket application form for your Branch is on the following page of thisNewsletter. Pleasecomplete the formand return toCountyOffice. Applicationsmustmustbemade through, and signedby, theBranchSecretary andbe received inCountyOffice no later than 14th August 2015. Applications received after this date will notreceive tickets.

No more than 4 tickets will be allocated per branch. If however there are sparetickets these will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Please note that alltickets cost £10 and cheques, made payable to TRBL, must be enclosed withapplication forms. Please also note that your seating preference very much dependson the availability of tickets for the seating required and preferences cannot beguaranteed

Please make clear on the application form if you require wheelchair spaces. Thisis important, as all other disabled persons must be fully ambulatory and able to taketheir seats without assistance.

Please note that tickets for the afternoon performance are only available from theTicket Shopof theRoyalAlbertHall andmust beobtaineddirect. All Legionmemberscan purchase their afternoon tickets from 09:00 on the 1st July. Ticket prices rangefrom£11 to£27. DONOTapply for afternoonperformance tickets viaCountyOffice.The RAH Box Office can be contacted on 0845 401 5045 or online atwww.royalalberthall.com

StandardBearerswishing toparticipatemust apply toCountyOffice. Dependingonnumbers required, nominated Standard Bearers for the County will be, in order andif available, Robert Blackwell and John Gallop. Others that apply will be consideredby the County Ceremonial Officer. Formal letters will be sent once our StandardBearer participation has been confirmed. Ticket requests for any eligibleaccompanying partner/spouse should be made through their respective Branches.Standard Bearer attendance must be confirmed with County Office by 1st July 2015.

Cenotaph Ceremony and March Past. Applications stating whether they arerequired for the Ex-service Contingent or the Non Ex-service Contingent must bereceived in County Office no later than 14th August 2015. Tickets and full joininginstructions will be despatched to applicants by County Office when received fromHead Office during September.

Kate Hurley

County SecretarySee next page for ticketapplication form

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The Royal British Legion Somerset County

Royal Albert Hall 7th November 2015

Ticket Application

Branch: Code: BR This Branch would like to apply for ……. Tickets, at £10 each, for this years Festival of Remembrance, on Saturday 7th November. The details of those attending are as follows: -

Name Legion

Membership Number

Address

Name Address

Name Address

Name Address

Please complete in full for each person, otherwise the form will be returned Branch Secretary’s Signature……………………….… Print name………………………………..……

I enclose a cheque for £ …….. (made payable to The Royal British Legion)

I would prefer seats in the *2ndTier/*Stalls/*Circle/*Anywhere

Please return tickets to: …………………………….

…………………………….

…………………………….

* Please delete as applicable. Please also note that your seating preference cannot be guaranteed. This correctly completed application form must be back at the County Office by 14th August 2015.

County Secretary Dunkirk Memorial House Bishops Lydeard Taunton TA4 3BT

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The Royal British Legion Somerset County

Royal Albert Hall 7th November 2015

Ticket Application

Branch: Code: BR This Branch would like to apply for ……. Tickets, at £10 each, for this years Festival of Remembrance, on Saturday 7th November. The details of those attending are as follows: -

Name Legion

Membership Number

Address

Name Address

Name Address

Name Address

Please complete in full for each person, otherwise the form will be returned Branch Secretary’s Signature……………………….… Print name………………………………..……

I enclose a cheque for £ …….. (made payable to The Royal British Legion)

I would prefer seats in the *2ndTier/*Stalls/*Circle/*Anywhere

Please return tickets to: …………………………….

…………………………….

…………………………….

* Please delete as applicable. Please also note that your seating preference cannot be guaranteed. This correctly completed application form must be back at the County Office by 14th August 2015.

County Secretary Dunkirk Memorial House Bishops Lydeard Taunton TA4 3BT

Please complete this form and return to:

County Secretary, TRBL

County Office Dunkirk Memorial House

Bishops Lydeard Somerset TA4 3BT

CENOTAPH CEREMONY 2015 Legion Branch Application for Tickets

County:

Contact Name:

Appointment:

Address:

Tickets and all future correspondence will be sent to this address

Post Code:

Telephone Number:

Email:

No of EX-SERVICE tickets requested:

No of NON EX-SERVICE tickets requested:

Signature: Date:

PLEASE NOTE: CIVILIANS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO PARADE IN THE EX-SERVICE COLUMNS

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 14 AUGUST 2015

RBL USE ONLY

Column Marker: ....................................... Date Issued: .........................................

Ticket Numbers: ....................................... Signature: .........................................

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Please can all branches send any old Standard Bearer equipmentto County Office, so that it can be used for training purposes.

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STANDARD BEARER TRAINING - 2015Tuesdays 10th February 19:00 - 21:00 hrs East Huntspill Hall

10th March 19:00 - 21:00 hrs East Huntspill Hall

14th April 19:00 - 21:00 hrs East Huntspill Hall

26th May 19:00 - 21:00 hrs East Huntspill Hall

9th June 19:00 - 21:00 hrs East Huntspill Hall

Saturdays 12th September 14:00 - 17:00 hrs Highbridge Community Hall

19th September 14:00 - 17:00 hrs Highbridge Community Hall

26th September 14:00 - 17:00 hrs Highbridge Community Hall

3rd October 09:00 Competition Highbridge Community Hall

Tuesdays 20th October 19:00 - 21:00 hrs East Huntspill Hall

24th November 19:00 - 21:00 hrs East Huntspill Hall

If your Branch has a new Standard Bearer who can't get to the training sessionslisted above it may be possible to arrange other sessions depending on the date,time and place - petrol money would be appreciated!Contact John Gallup on 01934 862621 to discuss possibilities.Standard Bearers are expected to turn out at events in uniform that complies withthe RBL Ceremonial Handbook – see Ch. 6.2. for full details. They should alsoturn out for training dressed accordingly.Additional training dates have been provisionally arranged at St. Bartholomew’sFirst School, Kit Hill, Crewkerne on Fridays 22nd and 29th May. Contact AntonySamuel on 01460 279865 (antonysamuel@btinternet.com) for details.

South West Regional Standard Bearer CompetitionHampshire were the hosts of the Competition even though it was still held atBridgwater College as last year. Unfortunately we were located in a different hallwhich had a floor with two differing surfaces, namely rubber and wood, whichwas not ideal for Competition.In the morning the WRBL Competition took place with 4 entrants. This was wonby Amanda Bearryman from Wiltshire with Kath Sidwell, from Long Ashtonrepresenting Somerset, coming second.After lunch the RBL Competition with 6 entrants took place. This was won byKevin Toft from Wiltshire with Ben Stephen (24yrs of age!) coming second. BobBlackwell from Clevedon Branch put in a good performance representingSomerset.

John Gallop, Senior Standard Bearer, Somerset

SOMERSET COUNTY & BRISTOL

EVENTS DIARY – 2015

RBL Somerset County & Bristol NewsletterMaterial for publication should be sent, by email, to the County Secretary

(KHurley@britishlegion.org.uk) at County Office, to arrive by the 20th of the preceding month.All articles must be attributable – anonymous articles will not be published.

Please send text as an attached Word document or within the body of the email. Sendimages as attached .jpg or .png files. Don't resize them - don't include them within a text file.

County reserves the right to edit, amend, defer or omit articles as necessary.The current edition of the Newsletter, together with an archive of previous editions,

can be found on-line at:-www.britishlegion.org.uk/counties/somerset/newsletters/county-newsletter

May

Sunday 10th County VE Day Commemoration &Dedication of the New County Standard14:00 hrs All Saints ChurchWeston-Super-Mare, BS23 2NL

Friday 15th Wells Branch Spring Lunch12:00 hrs at the Britannia Inn, Bath Road, Wells

JuneSaturday & Sunday 20th & 21st Weston-S-Mare Armed Forces Days

Beach Lawns in front of Somerset Legion HouseSunday 28th Clevedon Parade & Drumhead Service

Clevedon Seafront

September

Saturday 5th Somerset Tattoo - Taunton Racecourse

Sunday 6th Double Hills Parade - Paulton

To publicise your Branch events here contact the County Secretary