ROSS-ON-WYE BRANCH

THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGIONCharity No 219279

AUTUMN 2014 NEWSLETTER

Dear Member,

We trust you are well and have been able to come along to one of our events in this very special Commemorative Year. It’s been a very busy year for us so far and this has been only achieved with the help of the 100 Group – this is a group of volunteers outside the RBL who have offered their services.

On the 4th February at The Bowling Club we presented a cheque for £2000 to the Poppy Appeal - we added the extra £300 from Branch Funds. It was a very good evening with many members attending

Cadets with their Certificates presented at the Awards

POPPY PRINCESSES

In April we held our Poppy Princess Competition – this was reinstated after many years – we felt it appropriate at this time and we also launched the “Peace Babies” with Tudor Sweets. Daniel & Sue came up with the idea – Peace Babies were first launched in 1918 to celebrate the end of WW1 – during WW2 they stopped producing because of the sugar shortage and they started again in the 50’s when they became Jelly Babies. Tudor Sweets are selling these and donating a percentage to the Branch up to 2018. A very generous offer indeed.

In May we received the fantastic news that not only had we been given a grant of £1000 from Ross Town Council we also received a Heritage Lottery grant for £3600, plus £500 from New Grove Farm Trust & £75 from Abbottsfield Funeral Directors. This has made all

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the difference to what we could do over this first year of Commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of WW1.

The first objective was to research all the names on the War Memorial in The Prospect – there are 105 from WW1 and 49 from WW2. This information was then given to pupils from John Kyrle School via the History Department. At one time 650 were involved in creating posters – these were then reduced to 105 – one for each name from WW1– these will be used for the Honour Walk on Sept 7th. The posters were then judged and the first three all were presented with prizes by Graham Aplin (Chairman) – everyone who took part received acknowledgement together will a gift. These posters have been on display at all our events and have become one of the highlights of our achievement. Everyone likes the idea of the younger generation learning about what WW1 meant to the everyday people of this country.

Posters in Library Graham & Margaret with Teachers and the winners

Also in May the Branch received an Award from the Poppy Appeal and Liz Parker the Community Fund Raiser commended the Branch on their achievements. The Ross Gazette presented a cheque for £80.93 from a raffle held at the May Fayre and pledged their continuing support.

Members of the 100 Group Mike Collett receiving his award for the highest individual.2

On the 14th/15th June we held the Community Weekend. The Saturday was on The Rope Walk where we were joined by The Rifles, Royal British Legion Riders Branch, Cadets, Scouts & Guides plus Vintage Vehicles including Motorcycles and a WW2 Tank which caused a great deal of interest especially by the youngsters. There was a Presentation Tent with presentations by Military Historians, Vintage Tent with Stalls and a Vintage Tea Tent which really went down well. The highlight of the day was Ross Junior Football Club who re-enacted the Christmas Truce Football Match. They were each awarded a Ross Remembers Medal by Gen Sir Peter De La Billiere who was our guest of honour. The Branch also represented a leather football donated by Bayleys Furniture Restoration.

The Sunday we were in the Market Place with Charity stalls and entertainment was provided by Ross Town Band and The Penyard Singers who soon had everyone joining in. One of our committee members James Weatherhead did a sponsored cycle ride – 22 miles representing the width of the channel – this was the last journey many of our brave men took – to date he has raised £300.

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Some of the many photos taken on the day.

During the same week the Ross Gazette organised a Raffle at Sainsbury’s and raised a further £291 70.

On July 27th we held our first Veteran’s Tea Party – which again was very successful. Everyone really enjoyed the Forest of Dean Male Voice Choir. This event will be repeated again next year – so if you didn’t make it this year – please try next time.

On the 4th August the 100th Anniversary of the beginning of WW1 the Branch held a 2 minutes Silence in the Market Place it was a very moving moment for everyone and in the evening Graham Aplin was joined many of the Committee members at St Mary’s where all the names on the Memorial were read out and then everyone took a candle to the alter where they were set out in the word PEACE – again a very special moment for all of us.

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Well that brings everything up to date so far. The next event is the Honour Walk on 7th September starting at the War Memorial in The Prospect at 11 00 am and finishing at The Hope & Anchor – 1.3 miles long ( when we hope we get someone to walk for every name on the Memorial including those from WW2). If you have any family members who would like to take part – please encourage them – sponsorship forms are available – but it is not a necessity this is not all about money – this is about REMEMBRANCE. Registration forms are available at the Market House of please ring 01989 566301 or of course this can be done on the day. If there is a family member anyone wishes to remember – please come along or just come and support those who are walking.

The Branch Service will be on Sunday 14th September at 6 00 pm at St Mary’s Church followed by refreshments at The Royal Hotel

We have the second of our Film Festivals on the 19th September at The Pheonix Theatre starting at 7 00 for 7 30 pm – the film will be The Very Long Engagement – tickets available from Rossiter Books or from Pheonix Theatre www.rosscinema.com £6.00 per person.

Our second Poppy Concert will be held at John Kyrle School on Sunday 19th October 2 30 pm to 5 30 pm with Ross Town Band & the students. Last year was a great success and we hope you all try to come again this year – tickets will be £6.00 Concessions £3. 00 per person. Refreshments will be served in the interval.

THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE ON WEDNESDAY 19TH NOVEMBER – 7 00 PM AT THE ROYAL HOTEL where you will be made very welcome. If anyone wishes to stand for any of the Officer’s positions or on the Committee please let the Secretary know on 01989 566301 by Wednesday 15th October.

Before we finish it has been brought to our notice that we do not always know if anyone needs our help – perhaps they are in hospital and would like someone to visit perhaps they are house-bound – please let us assure you that we are here for every ex service man &

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woman and their dependants but we can only help if we are asked. If you have any problems please ring the Secretary on 01989 566301 or if you would prefer the Chairman on 01989 770775 and we will endeavour to help.

This year is the beginning of the four years Commemorating WW1 – this is just the start – we are going to do our level best to keep up the momentum and endeavour that we get the message out to everyone how very important it is that we do not forget what happened 100 years ago. We think we’ve made a good start but to continue we need your support.

Very Best wishes

Graham Aplin (Chairman) Margaret Jones (Secretary)

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