TROC ET PUCES - 30th APRIL 2017 - Plumeliau 10am - 5pm. Please book tables through Ann Thomson: publicity@rblbrittany.fr - Tables are 4€ for 1m 10 - Telephone 0297518991. For a letter explaining how to go about reserving a table and for the reservation form please click the links below.

Information Letter / Reservation Form

Remember to check with Ann on 0297518991 to make sure that there are spare tables before sending in the form.

NEWSLETTER - 27th November 2016

This is my first Newsletter as your new Chairman and I would like to, once again, thank those members who have volunteered their time to stand as Committee Members, without you we would not have a Branch.

I am sorry to have to tell you that Susan Lace passed away on Wednesday night and our condolences and deepest sympathy go out to Geoff and his family. Geoff was our Treasurer and it is my intention to attend Susan’s funeral with Pamela, Rodney, Kate, Gordon and Suzanne. I will publish details of the funeral when I have them.

Rodney has suffered some minor strokes during the past week and was hospitalised on Tuesday. I collected him this afternoon (Friday) to spend the weekend at home and the good news is he hasn’t got to go back, but he will be taking things easy for a few weeks.

At the AGM I highlighted a few changes I will be implementing at the Monthly Socials and the first one will be the February Social, we will be replacing the quiz with a session of ‘Name that Tune’. March will see a Bingo session….Watch this space for further exciting entertainment!!

The prizes for the Monthly Raffle will continue along the same theme introduced by Brian and Ann Lennon last year….5 decent prizes valued at about €6.00 each, nothing secondhand.

DIARY DATES

6th DECEMBER 2016 - The Christmas Draw will take place during this social, tickets will be available for about 30 minutes prior to the draw. There will also be Christmas items for sale including ‘Tricia with her Christmas cards. Come to the Relais de L’Oust and enjoy yourselves. It will also be your last chance to book for the Christmas Lunch on 15th December.

15th DECEMBER 2016 - Christmas Lunch will be at the Relais de L’Oust, starting at 12.30. The cost is 21.80€ for members and 26.80€ for non-members. Contact the Chairman to book your place by 6th December please.

JANUARY 2017 -  Remember there will be no social in January. Hotel closed. Please pass this around as there are some members not on email.

7th FEBRUARY 2017 - Social - ‘Name that Tune'

30th APRIL 2017 - TROC & PUCES - Plumeliau 10am - 5pm. Book tables through Ann Thomson: publicity@rblbrittany.fr - Tables are 4€ 1m 10 - Telephone 0297518991

CURRENCIES DIRECT - The Branch would also like to thank Currencies Direct (Calum Harkiss) for the support and sponsorship of our Branch.  CD have given us various prizes during the year and have also kindly donated a Flatscreen TV, Tom Tom Sat Nav and also a Tablet as the main prizes for this years Christmas event. Calum has pledged to support the Branch in 2017 and beyond and CD will make further donations to the Branch for any members who open accounts with them and trade.  For our Branch this is a win win situation as we save on our transfers and help generate additional funds for the Branch at the same time.  If anyone is interested in opening an account with Currencies Direct then please use the link below and don’t forget to quote Royal British Legion, Central Brittany Branch http://www.currenciesdirect.com/en/fr/

David Bashford - Chairman

CEREMONY

The Chairman and the Standard will be present at a special ceremony in Vannes on November the 11th to honour the participants in the 1st World War especially the Argylle and Sutherland Regiment and the 116 RI (Inf Regt) which was composed of men from Vannes.  We will meet at the Plateau de la Garenne in Vannes at 10.30, with the ceremony itself starting at 11 am. 

Please don’t forget the Troc et Puces in aid of the Poppy Appeal, on OCTOBER the 2nd, at the Espace Drosera, rue de la Paix, 56930 Plumeliau, between 10 am and 5 pm. For further information and to book tables, please contact Ann Thomson on 02 97 51 89 91 or email annthomson@orange.fr 

Kind and generous people have offered to help on the day and to make cakes etc for the refreshment counter, but PLEASE, we do need more help to make the event a success.

Also, please remember there is the usual monthly social at the Relais de L’Oust near Josselin on Tuesday October the 4th. It will be lovely to see you if you can attend.

POPPY APPEAL  Please inform Kate on poppyappeal@rblbrittany.fr or 02 97 39 60 69 if you are able to help IN ANY WAY with the Poppy Appeal this year.  Of course, poppies will be available at the Troc et Puces and the next social, but it would help greatly to know in advance if you would like a box. You may know someone who would like to take one for their business, or you may like to have one yourself. It is a really good cause, helping both present service men and women, their families and those who have served in the past. (Who are in need).    You may like to look at the lovely new felt lapel poppies we have this year.

On November the 7th, there will be a coffee morning in aid of the Poppy Appeal at La Lande de Boloré, 56480, Saint-Aignan, to show ‘Tricia’s greeting cards and Christmas cards. It will start at 10 am, booking is preferable and I can send directions to anyone who may want them.

Please, if you receive small padded envelopes through the post and would like to help the Appeal, please save them for me, as I send poppy parcels all over the place. 

The Christmas Lunch will be at the Relais de L’Oust on December the  13th, starting at 12.30. The cost is 20.80 euros for members and 25.80 for non-members. Booking is essential as soon as possible through Dorothy Norcross dorothy@frenchcottagesonline.

Tickets for the Grand Christmas Draw  (wonderful prizes!) will take place at the December social, and are on sale now at 1 euro each. To purchase, please contact any committee member.

Best wishes and good luck to you all,

Rodney (Chairman)

NEWSLETTER - 30th August 2016

As there are several very important items in this newsletter, (eg Membership from David Bashford, Welfare from Pam, Poppy Appeal from Kate etc),  please be sure to read on right to the end.

1.  The next social will be as usual on the first Tuesday of September, the 6th, at the Relais de L’Oust near Josselin.

2.   WELFARE TABLE NEWS - Are you having a sort out at home and have items you could sell ? Are you a maker of crafts ?  Would you like to hire the welfare table at a monthly social to sell your wares for a donation to the welfare/Poppy Appeal.

I am just putting out feelers for this idea and hope it could bring a variety of interesting goods to the social each month.

If you interested please contact  Pamela (Welfare Officer)   david.bashford@wanadoo.fr

3.  POPPY APPEAL  Please inform Kate on kissmekate1@orange.fr or 02 97 39 60 69 if you are able to help IN ANY WAY with the Poppy Appeal this year. This is more urgent than usual, as we will be unavailable for the greater part of September and time is marching on!!! I will bring packed boxes to the next social, but it would help greatly if I know in advance how many will be needed. You may know someone who would like to take a small box of poppies in their business, or you may like to have one yourself. It is a really good cause, helping both present service men and women, their families and those who have served in the past. (Who are in need).    You may like to look at the lovely new felt lapel poppies we have this year. Please, if you receive small padded envelopes through the post and would like to help the Appeal, please save them for me, as I send poppy parcels all over the place.  

4. The positions of Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary still need to be filled for the  2017 branch committee. Please come forward and offer your services to support the branch here in Brittany.

5.  Dear Members,

I have received information from HQ TRBL and attached the panel below, for your information.

Our Branch Subscription fee has been agreed as £2.00. Therefore Direct Debit payers will be charged £19.00.

For cash payers the rate of exchange was fixed before Brexit at £1= €1.30, so the renewal fee will be €24.70.

I have reminded TRBL that they must contact the various banks with the amendment, as we are unable to alter DD’s ourselves.

Basha

Treasurer

6.  FURTHER REMINDER Another date for your diary is OCTOBER the 2nd, when we will be holding the Troc et Puces in aid of the Poppy Appeal, in the Espace Drosera, rue de la Paix, 56930 Plumeliau, between 10 am and 5 pm. For further information and to book tables, please contact Ann Thomson on 02 97 51 89 91 or email annthomson@orange.fr

At the last social, several generous people offered to help on the day and to make cakes for the refreshment counter, but PLEASE, we do need more help to make the event a success.

Thank you all and best wishes,

Rodney

TROC ET PUCES - 2nd October 2016

Venue . Espace Drosera
Rue de la Paix
56930
Plumeliau

Tables: 1m.20. 4 euros with chairs.
Maximum: 100.
Entry fee for visitors: 1 euro. Children under 12 yrs free.
Usual bacon butties, tea, coffee and cakes. 

Email: annthomson@orange.fr
Tel. 0297518991

All reservations to include cheque, and filled in correctly Example ID. Info , correct address, telephone number etc 

Stevie J Kramer and sue are coming to entertain us around midday.

So please try and support us it's all in aid of the poppy appeal.

NEWSLETTER - 30th June 2016

1.  Firstly, and the most important of the 5 items on this newsletter, is to ask you to please put yourselves forward as committee members for election at the AGM in November. I know November seems so far ahead, but PLEASE do think about standing for the posts of Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary and all the other positions for members of the Legion. We need a committee.

2.  This is the second of the other 5 items of news, the first being the usual reminder that it will be lovely if we see you at the next social, as usual at the Relais de L’Oust on Tuesday, July the 5th. As I am sure you all know, this year commemorates the 100th anniversary of the truly terrible Battle of the Somme, which started on July the 1st 1916 at 7.30 am and continued until the 18th of November that same year.  On the first day of the battle alone, more than 19,240 British soldiers had been killed and more than twice that number wounded. There will be a short special remembrance at this social.

3.  On Saturday next, the 2nd of July, we will commemorate the S.A.S paratroopers in a ceremony at Seglien. We will meet at the Mairie at Langoelan at 10.30 that morning and proceed in convoy for the commemoration. Apologies for the short notice, but we have been off line for the last week after the thunderstorms.

For any more information, please contact the Chairman on 02 97 39 60 69.

4.   VOLUNTEER WELFARE CASE WORKERS

If any member is interested in becoming a Welfare case worker please could you contact me or see me at the July Social.
Anyone interested must be available to attend a welfare course in London.  There is a choice of three dates :- 11th-12th August, 22nd-23rd September, 8th-9th December.
Travel, ferry or flight will be arranged by our liaison in London.
Pamela Bashford
Welfare Officer
Royal British Legion
Central Brittany Branch

5.  The sum of 670 euros was raised in place of flowers at the funeral of Bill Wise, and was donated to the Hospice in Pontivy where he spent his last days. We wish to thank everyone who attended Bill’s funeral and contributed to this sum.

6.   On a happier note, the Garden Party to celebrate the 90th birthday of our Queen was well attended, especially by many French people, and as we were given so many donations of refreshments and items for the raffle, we were able to make 371.62 euros for the Poppy Appeal. Thank you so much everyone who came and supported us (including those who were unable to come, but supported us in many different ways with help).

NEWSLETTER - 20th May 2016

This is to remind you all about the usual lunchtime monthly social at the Relais de l’Oust on June the 7th.

Also, on June the 19th, we will  be holding a tea-party in aid of the Poppy Appeal, to celebrate the 90th birthday of our Queen in our garden, at La Lande de Boloré, 56480, Saint-Aignan, starting at 3 pm. Contributions of lovely things to eat will be gratefully received to swell the coffers.  There is no entrance fee, but we will be offering goodies to eat a drink for donations towards the Appeal. Although not absolutely necessary, it would make life easier for us if you book. I can send directions from Gouarec, Cleguerec, Pontivy and Mur de Bretagne if they are needed.

If you would like us to lay a little cross (between 2 - 5 euros), or a wreath on your behalf in Normandy, please do let us know and we will do our best to oblige.

For further information, please contact Rodney, the Chairman, on 02 97 39 60 69, or at chairman@rblbrittany.fr

NEWSLETTER - 29th April 2016

Firstly, we wish to thank all of you of both nationalities who organised, donated your time, energy, cakes and other things including eggs, to make the Troc et Puces last Sunday, April the 24th, such a resounding success. Although it was a very long day, we made much more money for the branch at our new venue in Plumeliau, which was a great improvement. The total to date is 1,259.36€, with the Welfare table making 139.50 and the Poppy Appeal table taking 129.17€, including a couple of donations. Thank you everyone who helped (and attended) so very much.

There were some packs of fresh bacon, so if anyone would like to buy some, please let us know. The cost of a 1.36kg pack of unsmoked rindless back bacon (usually about 21-22 slices) is 7€ and the use-by date is 21st of May. The bacon could be frozen if the pack is too large.

It will be delightful to see as many of you who can attend the lunch time social on May the 3rd at the Relais de L’Oust, Josselin.

The branch will be represented by the Standard and Chairman at the Pointe Saint-Matthieu near Brest on May the 7th, then the Standard will be present at a ceremony to remember VE day and to witness the presentation of the Legion d’Honneur to the widow of Mr. George French, (a veteran of the Second World War) at Coetlogon.

For further information about the ceremonies and to order the bacon, please contact the Chairman at 02 97 39  60 69, or on chairman@rblbrittany.fr

Fish & Chips: On April 6th, at chez Odette in Mael Carhaix, Dorothy Norcross has arranged a lunchtime menu of fish and chips, apple pie with either cream or ice cream for 12.50? Drinks are extra. She has also arranged for some local musicians to come and play for us. Guitar and singer. If you remember Billy J Kramer from the 60's Beatle era, it is his son. Please book with Dorothy, maximum 20 people so book quickly if you wish to attend.

Contact: events@rblbrittany.fr or Phone 02 96 24 28 05

The lunch at La Clochette in Credin on February the 17th raised 250€ for the Poppy Appeal and was attended by 146 people. Thank you all so much for your generosity. Kate Curtis.

Baud Knitting Group - Some of the French ladies of the knitting group who meet in the Mediateque centre in Baud for a chat and a coffee a couple of times each month, have kindly offered to help us by making some of the crochet poppies, which as you know have been making lots of money for the Poppy Appeal. The atmosphere is very friendly and the next (free) meeting is on March the 22nd, if anyone would care to join us. It is also, of course, a good relaxing way to improve our French.

For further information, please contact Ann on 02 97 51 89 91

NEWSLETTER - 12th March 2016

On March the 28th, Easter Monday, the Chairman and Standard Bearer will attend a ceremony and lay a wreath at the Memorial aux Marines on the seafront in Saint-Nazaire at 11 am to remember those who fought, those who lost their freedom and those who lost their lives in Operation Chariot in 1941. In case you don’t remember, this was when the gates to the only dry dock in France that could be used by pocket battleships (eg Turpitz and Bismark) were destroyed by HMS Campbletown, putting the dock out of action for the whole of the rest of the war.

Please click here for one of the posters for the next Troc et Puces on April the 24th, in Plumeliau.

Please don’t forget the next social on April the 5th, as usual at the Relais de L’Oust near Josselin, where we will have the usual raffle and quiz. It has been mentioned that some of you may not know we don’t pay for the hire of the room where we meet, so because of that Serge and Jocelyne rely on us eating and drinking while we are there. Also, possibly some of you may not know there is a two or three course set menu available as well as that on the boards on the tables.

The next two items are unconnected with our association, but you may be interested.

Being introduced are radar traps on the doors of some unmarked Renault Modus and Citroen C3 cars, at the junctions with traffic lights and on the some crash barriers. Beware!!

Here is some more information that was sent to us about our possible rights to vote even if we have been out of UK for more than 15 years. There is a petition which you can sign IF YOU WISH, so the bill, which has had the second reading, can be presented again in Parliament.

Petition to Extend EU referendum voting rights to all UK citizens living abroad.

Note well the aim of the Downing Street petition linked below.  Usually such petitions are a waste of effort ---- BUT
- It has already exceeded 10,000 signatures and the Government must respond.  That constitutes a good step forward towards true Political representation.
More developments on this same theme are expected soon.  Note well - Political Representation is the key to correcting injustices of all kinds. https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/112142

For further information about any of these items please contact the Chairman chairman@rblbrittany.fr 0297396069.

Regards, Rodney (Chairman)

NEWSLETTER - 14th February 2016

Please click on the link below to open a letter from the British Embassy in Paris regarding our voting rights in the referendum about staying with or leaving the European Community.  If you are unable to open the attachments, please telephone and we will explain. Regards, Rodney Curtis, Chairman. Press Release Link

NEWSLETTER - 15th January 2016

Poppy Appeal Lunch - There is a lunch in aid of the Poppy Appeal on February the 17th at La Clochette, Credin. Please make your choices and let me know as soon as possible as places are limited. You will need to pay 12€ in advance too, please. For the menu please click here. Of course, there will be a vegetarian option which is the same starter choice without the Parma ham and for the main course Sally would serve the vegetables with fish or an omelette, a fish dish or a pasta dish. There will also be a raffle. Please remember, I need to know your choices and receive your payment as soon as possible as places are limited. Please EMAIL poppyappeal@rblbrittany.fr – DON’T ring.

Troc Et Puces - 24th April 2016 - Now being held in L'Espace Drosera  56930  PLUMELIAU from 10am to 5pm. Tables are 1m20 x 80 and will cost 4 euros. Rservations by email events@rblbrittany.fr or tel 0297518991. Usual  bacon butties, cakes, tea coffee on sale. In the past we've had a turn away quite a number of stall holders - this hall will take 100 tables so book early, it's always been a great success.