The Royal British Legion Women's Section – Bishop's Stortford Branch
RBL Women's Section Bishop's Stortford Branch at their January 2024 New Year's party
Join Us
The Royal British Legion Women’s Section - Bishop's Stortford Branch meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 2pm at the New Apton Centre in Apton Road.
We are a friendly group and would welcome new members. Please come along and join us. We meet every month for tea, cake and a chat at 2.00pm in the Garden Room at the Apton Centre. At most meetings we have a speaker, and in January we had a New Year's party. A pleasant afternoon is always guaranteed.
For further information please contact Denise Hudson at denisehudson43@hotmail.com or on 01279 657647.
So far this year, 2024, the meeting programme has included Mary Stock and the Bishop's Stortford Woodwind Group; Paul Winspear, Editor of Bishop's Stortford Independent; Nicky Cave, Elder Care Group, talking about funding for Residential/Nursing Care; Councillor Calvin Horner talking about plans/developments in Bishop's Stortford. We also had our AGM and a garden party.
More events and meeting dates will be added in due course.
RBL Women's Section Bishop's Stortford Branch raise money for the Children's Fund
On 20th July 2024, RBL Women's Section Bishop's Stortford Branch members took part in a fundraising coffee morning at the Methodist Church in Bishop's Stortford.
Visitors were treated to a splendid variety of home made cakes and the event raised £127.13 in total which, together with their other fundraising- raffle/teas and 5p collection, should allow £200.00 to be donated to the Children's Fund.
Thanks to the committee members who volunteered to help on the day and those who provided the cakes.
Left to right: Doreen Snook, Pat Ault (Secretary), Shirley Richards, Ros Francis (Vice Chair), Pat Markwell (Chair) and Gwynn Allanson (Treasurer).
Photos of the RBL Women's Section Bishop's Stortford Branch
RBL Women's Section Bishop's Stortford Branch at their January 2024 New Year's party
History of the Women's Section
The British Legion Women’s Section was formed in 1921 to safeguard the interests of the widows and families of ex-Servicemen. It was also to provide a way for women to be a part of the British Legion and widen its activities. The Women’s Section is separate, self-funding, and also comes under the Royal Charter with Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal as the National President.
The Women's Section has always played its part in the welfare work of the Royal British Legion. As much of the focus of the British Legion was towards the men who had fought in two World Wars, the Women's Section naturally looked to help the women who had also been affected.
In 1953 the Women's Section was permitted to parade its standard at the Festival of Remembrance in November for the first time. The Women's Section National Standard Bearer walked alongside the National Standard Bearer of the British Legion, signifying the importance of the partnership.
What the Women's Section does today
Today the Women's Section has been fully integrated into the regular structure of the Royal British Legion. It plays a prominent part in the annual Poppy Appeal but its charities do not receive any funding from this source. It continues to independently raise funds for its benevolent work including the Children’s Welfare Fund which provides essential financial support for dependents of service people and the President's Award Scheme, named after HRH the Queen Mother who was President at the time the programme was started.
The President’s Award Scheme provides grants for the educational needs of dependents of current/former service personnel. This ranges from scholarships for course fees and accommodation costs, to smaller grants for textbooks or transport costs. The Women’s Section continues to provide essential support to all members of the Armed Forces community and last year provided funding for families and friends of competitors at the Invictus Games to attend the Games and cheer on those taking part. It continues to provide a space for women to work together to support the RBL, as it has done for more than 100 years.
