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REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICE, SUNDAY NOVEMBER 9^th 2008

The service was, as usual, well supported, with many old friends paying their yearly visit.  Many thanks go out to Helen and John, who conducted a moving service supported by the Royal British Legion and the Aircrew association.  The flower arrangers did a wonderful job with their church poppy arrangements.  The choir and the bell ringers; our organist, Peter Taylor, supported by his two sons on trumpets, all deserve a special mention for their involvement, along with the children from the villages who presented the poppy wreaths.  It was great pleasure to see Judy Sladden, who read a psalm from the bible. 

Lastly, a big ‘thank you’  to everyone who provided food and drink in the Village Hall after the as usual making it a very pleasant get together.

As this will be the last Gazette of 2008,  I would like to take the opportunity on behalf of our Branch of The Royal British Legion to wish everyone a VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS and a PEACEFUL NEW YEAR.

Also a big thank you to my wife, Eileen, who advises and edits my reports.

Peter Garlick

By way of a change, I will finish with a poem by R.M. Hill titled Christmas Cradle.  

On a mattress soft, with a cosy rug

My first-born lay so warm and snug;

On a pillow he rested his tiny head,

Sweetly asleep in his cradle bed.

 

I had carved it with care as a father should,

Shaping the curves of the good white wood;

The cradle I fashioned was neat and trim,

I had done my best to prepare for him.

 

But I heard a story, the strangest thing,

That a baby came who was born a king;

Yet a rough-hewn manger, His makeshift bed

And swaddling clothes, as the angel said.

 

Thus the Son of God came forth that night

In the cattle stall, by the candlelight;

Jesus, Saviour, Emmanuel,

Loudly today may His praises swell.

Meeting 3 November 2008

Twenty three members were present at The Woodman for the November meeting.  Apologies for absence were given followed by a recap on last month’s AGM.

Our Chairman, Jeff Mason reported on the Group Meeting he had recently attended and stated that all Branches were running well, with both membership and Poppy Appeal collections increasing.  It was also admitted by Legion HQ that there had been problems with Branch funds being held at Pall Mall and this was now being addressed.  The point was made that the charity ‘Help for Heroes’ is run totally separately from the Royal British Legion, but works in conjunction with them in boosting the Poppy Appeal.

John Hutchinson, our President gave an update on the forthcoming Remembrance Service.  The Revd. Helen Dawes, our Vicar, had been very helpful, co-ordinating with John on a slightly changed format for this year’s service.  As usual, our own Padre, The Revd. John Walker will be involved in the service and the Aircrew will be in attendance.  A social in the Village hall will follow the service.

The Hertfordshire ‘Festival of Remembrance’ was held at Rickmansworth for the first time this year on Sunday, November 2^nd 2008.  Our Chairman, and Standard Bearer Frank Randall, attended, and reported that it was very well presented although not supported as well as it could have been.  A band from the Lifeguards, the Welwyn Garden City Male Voice Choir and the Harpenden Pipe Band all took part.

Welfare Officer, John Baker, has had a busy month and gave us his report.  John Aldous now has a daily visit from a nurse to administer medication.  He would love telephone calls and visits from friends, but please telephone before visiting.  Molly Weeden is now at Herts. and Essex Hospital, Bishops Stortford in Oxford ward  and would welcome cards or visits.  Dennis Webb at Buntingford is becoming frail and confused.  John is also helping out a Far East prisoner of war, who was residing in the St. Neots area but has now moved to Baldock.  Hopefully, with Johns help, he will soon settle.  An emergency ‘Panic Button’ is now available through the Legion, which can be had without the usual set-up fee.

Lastly, the National President, Air Marshal Ian Macfadyen CB OBE RAF (Ret) has been suffering from a virus and been in hospital for four weeks.  It is hoped he will be well enough to attend The Festival of Remembrance at The Albert Hall on Saturday, November 8^th 2008.

A Christmas Social is to be held in Sandon Village Hall on Monday, December 15^th 2008.  There will be a licensed bar.  Donations of food would be very welcome and please BRING A FRIEND.

Meeting 1st September 2008

The Woodman at Nuthampstead kindly hosted nineteen members at the September meeting.

Our Secretary gave a short re-cap of last month’s meeting.  Chairman, Jeff Mason, then started by welcoming Daphnis friend, Kate, to the meeting; perhaps a new member in the making.  He then went on to clarify the situation at Royston RBL Club.  It is the Club, not the Branch, that is having problems.  Few members attend meetings, but there are several hundred members using the club.  If the club was forced to close, The Royal British Legion would lose most of those members.  With RBL membership already down, this would be a step in the wrong direction.  This matter will be aired at the next County Meeting, in the hope of a solution.  Perhaps the Club could be used by other local Branches to help it along!

Tickets are now available for the Hertfordshire Festival of Remembrance.  Members have the first choice, then it will be open to the public.  The date for this event is Sunday, November 2^nd 2008.

Beulah Randall confirmed that the Poppy Appeal was all in hand.  Everything ordered has been received.  She does need at least two more collectors for the village and surroundings.  Anyone willing to lend a hand, please contact Beulah or the committee.

John Baker gave his Welfare Report and stated that John Aldous, who has been in the Lister Hospital, but now back at home, is still very poorly.  He would welcome any telephone calls or visits to his house on Clothall Common.

The infamous ‘Goose Supper’, being held at Wallington Village Hall on September 27^th 2008 is sold out.  Ticket holders are asked to arrive at 7:30pm for an 8:00pm dinner.  Wine will be provided with the meal by the RBL.  If you require any other drinks, either alcoholic or non-alcoholic, PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN, as there will not be a bar.

Reminder that the Remembrance Day Service is at All Saints Church, Sandon on November 9^th 2008.  There will be the usual gathering in the Village Hall after the service.

This year, The Royal British Legion Annual Carol Service is to be held at St Marys Church, Baldock on Sunday, December 14^th 2008 at 2:30pm.  A social at Baldock Community Centre will follow the service.  All welcome.

Let us hope that the Winter will be kind and spare a thought for those worse off than yourself.  

Peter Garlick

Meeting 4th August 2008

The notes for the meeting held at The Moon and Stars on August 4^th, were kindly taken by our Treasurer, Kay Bolton, as I was unable to attend the meeting

Twenty three members were in attendance.  Last month’s minutes were read and apologies for absence were given.  Our Chairman, Jeff Mason, led the silent tribute, remembering the late County Secretary, Dennis Austin, who sadly passed away on July 10^th.

John Baker, our Welfare Officer reported that John Aldous was having tests at the Lister Hospital.    We all wish him well.    John and Jeff had both visited Mollie Weeden and stated that she was in good spirits.    Thankfully, Molly Reeks was feeling much better when John telephoned her.

Poppy organiser, Beulah Randall, stated that all was in hand for the Remembrance in November.    Jeff thanked Beulah and the poppy collectors for their hard work.   

MORE POPPY COLLECTORS ARE NEEDED.    IF YOU ARE ABLE TO HELP, PLEASE CONTACT BEULAH ON 01763 288397.

Unfortunately Royston Branch of the RBL is threatened with closure, which will mean a loss of several hundred members.    However, only five or six members attend the meetings which does not make it viable.

The Goose Super on September 27^th is all in hand and a total of forty-two tickets have been sold to date.

Mrs Sheila Fisher asked members to write and support our local Post Office, which is threatened with closure.   

N.B.    The closing date for this is now past.

The Branch have been asked to decorate a tree with poppies for the occasion of THE FESTIVAL OF TREES in Sandon Church in November.

Hoping for an end to the “Monsoon Season” and a return to Summer.    Peter Garlick.

Meeting 7th July 2008

The Meeting held on Monday, 7^th July  at The Woodman at Nuthampstead, started with a  “Silent Tribute” to remember  Arthur Williams from Redhill who sadly died in the Lister Hospital after a long illness.  His cremation at Harwood Park on June 27^th was officiated by the Rev. Teddy Faure-Walker.

After apologies were read, our chairman was pleased to announce that the commemorative bench in memory of Michael James was now permanently sited on Roe Green outside the cricket pavilion, (an ideal spot as cricket was one of Michaels great passions).  He went on to comment on the Haileybury Tattoo, which luckily had good weather and a good turnout of visitors.  RBL Standards were in attendance, as was the RBL Marquee.  Buntingford also made use of this marquee at their carnival.  Remember it is available FREE OF CHARGE for any local events, to help promote the RBL.

Hertfordshire’s “Festival of Remembrance” on November 2^nd 2008 is going ahead and tickets will be available for members and guests in the near future.  The location will be either Hatfield or Hemel Hempstead and we will hopefully be able to supply transport if necessary.

The Royal British Legion website is becoming very comprehensive with links to all areas and news and events happening therein.  We were also pleased to hear that the Women’s section is now fully back on board rather than running as a separate entity.

The newly appointed County Youth officer has achieved her first success in affiliating the Walkern Sea Cadets, TS Andromeda, with Stevenage Branch RBL. We wish her good luck with further promoting younger peoples interests into the Legion.

On the welfare side, John Baker had visited Arthur Williams many times both before and after his admission into the Lister Hospital.  He had the sad duty of attending his funeral and speaking with his family.  Mollie Weeden who has also had a spell in the Lister and then at Royston Hospital, is now home and once again would welcome phone calls and visitors.  Dennis Webb was in fine form when John made his monthly visit to Buntingford.  Sadly Molly Reeks at Clothall is not very well and our best wishes go out to both her and her husband Bill.

Our new member Paul Fletcher, who has just risen to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel kindly gave a talk on the changes in the Army since the end of the Cold War.  Training, equipment, vehicles and the recruits themselves were all discussed in some depth, which gave a interesting insight into the modern fighting force.  Paul and his wife were off to Canada shortly after the meeting where he will complete several months training for his promotion.

Lastly, John Hutchinson informed us that he had received an e-mail from our young Remembrance Day trumpeter, Noah Taylor, to say that he was going to Graz in Austria to compete with the Cantate Youth Choir in the World Choir Games.  We wish him well and look forward to his involvement with this year’s service.

Thanks go to Sandy, Ian and the staff at The Woodman.  As always, very enjoyable refreshments after the meeting.

Happy holidays to all readers.  Peter Garlick. 

Meeting 2nd June

Our President, John Hutchinson along with twenty eight members were in attendance at The Moon and Stars for the June meeting.  After Johns successful eye operation,  he had been sent flowers during his convalescence, which he said was a first.

The meeting started with our Chairman, Jeff Mason, commenting on the RBL County Website, which is now very informative.  It has links to all the local Branches and events in their area.  The County Youth Officer is working hard to recruit young scouts, guides, cadets, etc. so that they can be affiliated to local Branches to help swell membership numbers and bring a younger outlook to the Legion.  County membership is currently down by 4% to 6589 members.  There is an idea for a County Remembrance Service to be held on Sunday, November 2^nd 2008, the week before the National Remembrance Service, put forward by the Herts. and Beds Promotion Officer.  Details to follow later.

This year’s Branch Poppy Collection was the highest on record at £4079 - 75

We were very pleased to hear that Buntingford Branch are continuing to function, after their recent problems.  Our Branch wishes them good luck.

A reminder that the RBL fully logoed marquee is available FREE to local events such as fetes, etc.  Gifts and give-aways can also be included.  For details and bookings, contact the committee.

The forthcoming “Goose Supper” on September 27^th 2008 at Wallington Village Hall, has only eight tickets left.  Anyone wishing to attend, please contact the committee as quickly as possible.

Welfare Officer, John Baker, attended an update course which he found to be very informative.  Having spent some time away this month, he has not had much time for visiting.  He did find time to visit Arthur Williams in the Lister Hospital, who is awaiting a permanent place in a nursing home.  Mollie Weeden was also admitted to the Lister after a fall.  By coincidence, she is on the same floor as Arthur.  No doubt they would both welcome a card or a visit.

Six members went to the Reed Spring Lunch, had a good meal and won the quiz.

Jeff Mason closed the meeting with the Kohima Epitaph, refreshments were enjoyed and the raffle was drawn.  Thanks to The Moon and Stars for accommodating us and to  Jenny for looking after us in her usual professional manner.

Peter Garlick

The Woodman at Nuthampstead hosted twenty members for the meeting held on Monday, February 4^th 2008.

After the apologies for absence were made and the minutes from the previous meeting read, hearty thanks were given to Beulah and Frank Randall for organising the January venue at Wallington Village Hall.  Everyone agreed it was a very pleasant, well supported evening and hopefully there are possibilities of repeating it, not only at Wallington, but at other halls in the local area.

Our Chairman, Mr Jeff Mason attended the County Conference on January 13^th at Woolmer Green.  Points made were that membership in general was down by 4%.  The Baldock Branch, which opened last year, was the first new branch to open in the last forty years and appeared to be very active and successful.  The Poppy Appeal had raised a national total of £26 million, of which £559,506 – 28 came from Hertfordshire.  The Women’s Section is celebrating 70 years of service.  A County Youth Officer has been appointed to help recruit younger members, perhaps cadets etc. into the RBL and boost membership.  Lastly they are hoping that Hertfordshire will be one of the top five Counties in the Country.

Plans are going ahead to revive The Goose Supper; an event that was held annually up till some years ago.  This will hopefully take place in Wallington Village Hall around September / October time.  Watch this space but numbers will be limited.

At the meeting which is to be held at the Sports Pavilion on Roe Green on April 7^th The Memorial Seat in memory of the late Michael James will be dedicated and located permanently on Roe Green.  All welcome.  Let’s have a good turnout for this special event.

Beulah Randall stated that our Branch Poppy Appeal had raised £2850 to date.

John Baker made his usual welfare visits.  Molly Weeden would still welcome visitors.  Les Longcroft is now settled at Ware in a nursing home.  Norman Keys is recovering at home after a knee operation.  Hopefully he will be able to make the next meeting, but until then our best wishes go out to him.   Molly and Bill Reeks are feeling well enough to operate their “marmalade factory” and evidently presented John with a jar after his visit.  On a sad note, Arthur Williams from Redhill has written of his electric mobility vehicle.  Luckily he was not hurt and he has a spare.

This year the Group Spring Lunch, normally held at Reed, is to be held in the newly refurbished Sandon Village Hall on Wednesday, May 28^th.  Come along for an enjoyable afternoon.

Easter Blessings to all readers.  Peter Garlick.

NB  Eileen and myself were very lucky to have been invited to Stanborough Police Headquarters at Welwyn Garden City on Wednesday, February 6^th as a guest of the Hertfordshire Constabulary Great War Society.  We listened to a talk by Professor Richard Holmes who has made Radio and TV appearances, wrote several books, is a serving Colonel in the TA and is a wonderful authority on World War One, not to mention also being a JP.  If anyone gets the opportunity to read or listen to him, we can thoroughly recommend a very entertaining and informative time.  

On January 12^th 2008, sixteen members and friends boarded a minibus for a trip to The Military Intelligence Museum at RAF Chicksands.  We were met at the museum by the two curators who gave us a fascinating insight into the world of espionage, spies and intelligence work, before splitting the group in two halves for a detailed look at the exhibits, of which there were many neatly displayed and well organised.  Our two guides, one who was ex Army and the other ex RAF, were extremely dedicated to this museum and were on hand throughout the whole visit to lecture and answer questions.

Places are still available for Februarys trip to The National Archives at Kew.  Contact Peter 01763 287475 or e-mail: peter@sandon.fslife.co.uk

On behalf of the RBL, I would like to wish all readers a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR.  Peter Garlick

On January 7^th 2008, thirty two members attended Wallington Village Hall for the first meeting of the year.  The meeting started with a welcome from the Chairman who wished everyone a Happy New Year and went on to comment on the social night we had at The Moon and Stars, Rushden in December.  Members agreed it was a pleasant evening.

John Baker visited Denis Webb at Buntingford and finding him in good form had a lengthy conversation with him.  Molly Weeden is again not too well and would welcome visitors to call.  Jack from Baldock, is having problems with Hertfordshire Homes regarding the use and storage of an electric mobility vehicle in his sheltered accommodation.  Hopefully this can soon be resolved.

Beulah Randall stated that we already had approximately £1700 in the poppy Appeal, with still more to come.  Once again , the Branch is on track for a good collection.

On behalf of all who attended the January meeting at Wallington Village Hall, a big thank you to Beulah and Frank Randall for all their effort in making the evening enjoyable.

Meeting 5 November 2007-AGM

Our November meeting at The Woodman, well attended by thirty members, was a combination of the AGM, followed by the Branch Meeting.

The Silent Tribute remembered the four members who had died this year.  Our oldest, Olive Pritchett who was 101 years old, our President Ken Parker, Peter Dixon from Clothall and Sylvie Searle, one of our long standing members who had moved away, but was not forgotten. Apologies for absence were given and a welcome made to Kath and Sid Batterbury, two of our newest members.

Last year’s AGM minutes were read by our Secretary, and then our Chairman gave a recap on the interesting lives of our four deceased members.

All of the committee now stood down to allow our President to take the chair.  John Hutchinson congratulated Jeff Mason on being appointed County Chairman and for all the work he did on behalf of our local branch.  He commended Jean Handley nee Bingham book on the local men who had died in the conflict of WW1.  This book is to be dedicated at the Service of Remembrance at All Saints Church, Sandon on Sunday, November 11^th 2007.  Our President assures us that this year’s Service is fully in hand and will welcome a new trumpeter Noah Taylor who is just fourteen years old, who will accompany his father Peter playing the church organ.

As the retiring committee were all willing to stand and there were no other nominations, the whole committee were re-instated for the year.

Jeff Mason again took the chair and reported on the year.  Group 2, of which our Branch is part is to quote “Shining” and very active.  Poppy appeal is again up on the previous year.  Welfare, looked after by John Baker, makes regular visits to our less fortunate members and keeps them in touch.  The Branch keeps to its regular monthly meetings.  We were honoured to have the National President to visit Sandon Village Hall for a presentation meeting followed by questions and answers.  Several members attended the annual spring lunch at Reed during May.  Beulah Randall took over as Poppy Co-ordinator.  The Branch Dinner in Baldock, organised by John Aldous and a trip to Ypres in Belgium were both a success.

Our Treasurer, Kay Bolton reported that the balance sheet was up £600 on last year.

Beulah Randall had the Poppy Appeal in hand, whilst Kay Bolton now wearing the head of Membership Secretary, stated that all RBL subscriptions were now due.

The AGM ended and a short break was proposed to recharge glasses.  A short monthly meeting began with an appeal from HQ for members.  Our area needs one hundred new members to retain its independence; otherwise we may have to join with other counties to make a viable group.

Compensation and health care for troops returning from conflicts around the world was again mentioned.  Sadly there seems to be a shortage of benefits for those willing to lay down their lives for our future.  Letters to MP’s may be a start to turning this problem around.

Guests were asked to be in their seats in church early for the start of Remembrance Day Service and donations of food would be appreciated for the gathering in the village hall after.  The long awaited bench to remember Michael James is to be displayed in the hall before being permanently sited on Roe Green.

December meeting will be a social at the Moon and Stars.  January meeting at Wallington Village Hall

May I on behalf of the RBL wish all readers a VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS.  Peter Garlick

Meeting 1 October 2007