Welcome to the Central Brittany Branch of The Royal British Legion

Notices & Newsletters

BRANCH NEWSLETTER - NOVEMBER

Hello Everyone,

I hope you are all keeping safe and well and not too damp or dishevelled from the recent wet and windy weather. I am sure you are all looking forward to the festive period and hope that you have plans to spend this with family and friends.

We would love for you to come to the last Royal British Legion Brittany Branch Social of 2024 to begin your festive celebrations with us. The December social will be held on Thursday 5th December at the Carpaccio Ristorante on Rue du Caire, Pontivy.

There will of course be the usual challenging quiz and raffle. Donations for raffle prizes are most welcome. You do not have to be a member of the RBL to attend the social, although we would appreciate it if you considered joining the branch. The annual subscription is only £20 which is a very worthwhile contribution to assist the Royal British Legion in continuing the exceptional work they do to support servicemen past and present along with their families. Many thanks to everyone who has recently renewed their Branch membership, your ongoing support is much appreciated.

As we anticipate a large turnout due to the increasing popularity of the socials and the venue has asked for the number of attendees, if you think you will be attending would you please let me know by e-mailing Karen with the number attending, by Sunday 1^st December.

Thank you all so much for your support of the Poppy Appeal as at present we have raised over €2000 for the Poppy Appeal. If you have not yet had an opportunity to make a donation and would like to, it is not too late before the Poppy Appeal donation window closes and the funds raised are sent to the Central Fund. Please email me and I will let you have the details for making a contribution.

Looking forward to seeing you all soon.

Kind Regards

Karen Lockwood

Secretary

BRANCH NEWSLETTER - OCTOBER

Hello Everyone,

I hope you are all well and enjoying the current spell of pleasant weather which has arrived just in time to allow some much needed time to prepare gardens for the winter. For those who have been lucky enough to get away to visit sunnier climes or spend precious time with family and friends, welcome home.

The branch AGM will be held on Thursday 7th November at the Carpaccio Ristorante on Rue du Caire, Pontivy prior to the monthly social.

Can any members who are attending the AGM please arrive and be seated by 11:25 as the AGM will start at 11:30. For non-members and those not wishing to attend the AGM please arrive by 12:00.

Thank you to those who have sent in their apologies for non-attendance at the AGM.

The AGM will be followed by the monthly social with the usual challenging quiz, raffle and Poppy Appeal items. Donations for raffle prizes are most welcome. You do not have to be a member of the RBL to attend the social, although we would appreciate it if you considered joining the branch.

As the venue has asked for the number of attendees, if you think you will be attending could you please let me know by e-mailing Karen with the number attending, by Sunday 3rd November.

Many thanks to everyone who has recently renewed their Branch membership, your continued support is much appreciated.

Next month there will be the usual local community and church remembrance commemorations. There are a number of ceremonies in Finistère (Brignogan, Ploudaniel, Le Folgëot, Lesneven and Treflez) on the 11th November. If you would like any further information on the Finistère event in particular, please let me know and as soon as we receive the detailed schedule I will send it on to you. If you would like a wreath please let me know and I will bring these along on the day or make alternative arrangements for you to receive this if you are unable to attend.

Looking forward to seeing you all soon.

Kind Regards

Karen Lockwood

Secretary

BRANCH NEWSLETTER - SEPTEMBER

Hello everyone,

Hope you are all well, enjoying the last of the warm weather and are not too busy getting your gardens ready for the winter.

The next Social is on Thursday the 3rd October 2024 and will be held as usual at the Carpaccio Ristorante on Rue du Caire, Pontivy. Please come along, bring your friends and try to be seated by 12:00hrs. You do not have to be a member of the RBL, but we would appreciate it if you considered joining the branch. There will be the usual raffle, challenging quiz and Poppy Appeal items.

As the venue has asked for the number of attendees, if you think you will be attending could you please let me know by e-mailing Karen with the number attending by Sunday 29th September.

The Branch has had another busy month with commemoration events around Brest.

New memorial plaque at La Forest-Landerneau

Remembrance Ceremony at Fort Montbarey Museum

Detailed background and photographs on the British role in the Liberation of Brest can be found on John Duncan’s website https://brittanyremembers.com/contents/ and the Brittany Remembers Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BrittanyRemembers/ .

An article covering the Saturday ceremony was also included in the Monday edition of Le Télégramme which can be made available for any interested members.

Another article of interest is a video one of our members, Ali Joncqueur, has published recently concerning the secret Walrus seaplane mission launched by Churchill to rescue Yvonne de Gaulle and children from Carantec on the 18th June 1940. The link to this video is https://youtu.be/ImAlRpxtdxM?feature=shared.

If you would like any further information on any of these articles, please let me know.

Looking forward to seeing you all soon.

Kind Regards

Karen Lockwood

Secretary

BRANCH NEWSLETTER - AUGUST

Hello everyone,

Apologies if you have already received this however unfortunately it appears a large number of those on the mailing list, did not get the previous e-mail.

Hope you are all well and are enjoying the return of the sunshine and warm weather.

August has been a busy month for one thing or another. The Chairman and other branch members attended a ceremony at Île aux Moines on Wednesday 14th August to commemorate Squadron Leader Cook and Flight Lieutenant Pyrah, who lost their lives when their Mosquito was downed over the Île aux Moines on 14th August 1944. The day was a great success with some very moving ceremonies, a memorial unveiling and a fly past from the French Air Force. Several family members attended from the UK and we were all made most welcome by local officials and residents with specific credit and thanks to Chloe and Dom Calligaris.

Thanks to Eddie and Viji Barlow and Tina Wildblood who attended, and particular thanks to John Duncan and Jean-Michel Crewe (Finistere Standard Bearer) and his family all of whom travelled a great distance to attend from North Finistere. More information and some photos will shortly be on the Branch Facebook page and the RBL website.

The next Social is on Thursday the 5th September 2024 and will be held as usual at the Carpaccio Ristorante on Rue du Caire, Pontivy. Please come along and bring your friends. You don’t have to be a member of the RBL, but we would appreciate it if you considered joining the branch.
As the venue has asked for the number of attendees, if you think you will be attending could you please let me know by by e-mailing Karen with the number attending, by Monday 2nd September.

Another big event that you are all invited to is the BREST COMMEMORATIONS on the 21st -22nd September.

On Saturday 21 September at La Forest Landerneau there will be a ceremony to inaugurate a new memorial plaque to three British Commando’s from 30 Assault Unit led by Ian Fleming of James Bond fame, who lost their lives on 1 September 1944. Marine Sanderson (20), Able Seamen Brady (21) et Muldoon (20)
The event is a joint Souvenir Français French CWGC) and Royal British Legion (Central Brittany) function. Timing is unconfirmed but usually around 11.00 am.
Family members along with a delegation of Royal Marines and Royal Navy will be attending along with some families of the French Resistance.

On Sunday 22nd September there is a Remembrance Ceremony in the main courtyard of Fort Montbarey Museum, to commemorate the capture of the Fort and in particular the role played by British land and sea Forces. The event will start at 10.00am with an open air interfaith service “Prayers for Peace” before moving to the standard French Remembrance ceremony. This will be a big event with the French Navy providing an Honour Guard and will be attended by the Mayor of Brest and local French MPs and around 30 guests from the UK.

The Commemoration at Fort Montbarey is the first since the late 1980s. Both are part of the official 80th Liberation schedule.

All RBL (Central Brittany) members are very welcome at both events. NB La Forest Landerneau is on the East side of Brest. Fort Montbarey on the West, and is on the main tramline from the centre of Brest.

More background on the British role in the Liberation of Brest can be found on John Duncan’s website https://brittanyremembers.com/contents/
If you want any further information on the events, just drop me a line.

Looking forward to seeing you all soon.

Kind Regards

Karen Lockwood
Secretary

CEREMONY INVITATION & AUGUST SOCIAL

Hello everyone,

Hope you are all well and have recovered from the Euro 24 football, the tennis at Wimbledon and are now looking forward to the Olympics in Paris!

As mentioned at the last lunch the Branch have been invited to attend a ceremony at Île aux Moines on Wednesday 14th August to mark the 14th Commemoration for Squadron Leader Cook and Flight Lieutenant Pyrah, who both lost their lives when their Mosquito was downed over the Île aux Moines on 14th August 1944. If anyone would like to attend can you please let me know ASAP (by 20th July at the latest) so we can inform the organisers of the approximate numbers.

The programme for the day is:

Wednesday 14th August - Île aux Moines

10:15 a.m.

Family members + state and military representatives, lay the hydrangea wreath and handfuls of petals at the place of the crash between Ile d’Irus and Île aux Moines, and in sight of, the port.

10:45 a.m.

Fly-past - Casa - between Ile d’Irus and Ile aux Moines.

11:15 a.m.

Back at quay, move towards the newly commissioned monument: Speeches from the Mayor, The British representative (Group Captain Jon Edmondson), and Mr. Sous, Prefet du Morbihan.

The inauguration of the monument created in honour of the British airmen, followed by a reading in both French and English. At the end of the unveiling, the assembly will be invited to move towards the Memorial stones in memory of the 5 Deportees from the Island, 3 of whom were killed, and 2 escaped.

Speech by the Mayor or Jacques Bathiat.

The Song of the Partisans will close the ceremony.

12:15 p.m.

Drinks at the Bois d’Amour (wooded area overlooking the sea at the end of the port area).

1:30/40 p.m.

Private lunch near St Miquel beach for a limited guest list hosted by the Mayor.

3:15 p.m.

Departure towards the cemetery.

3:30 p.m.

Commemoration in a small group, in particular members of the family(ies).

Reading in English of the translation by M Gaston Calbourdin (William Calligaris or young member of the Cook family).

Laying of a wreath of poppies, according to British/RBL tradition.

British anthem.

10:30 p.m.

Commemorative fireworks display.

Ferries run every 15mins and cost about €4.50.

For those of you who cannot attend the ceremony there is always the monthly social. The next Social is on Thursday the 1st August 2024 and will be held as usual at the Carpaccio Ristorante on Rue du Caire, Pontivy.

To enable orders to be taken and to ensure you get your choice of meal please arrive no later than 12:00hrs. The owner likes to give us first choice of the ‘Deal of the day’ so we must order by 12:00hrs. There will be the usual topical Quiz and a Raffle. Donations for raffle prizes are always most welcome.

This is an ideal opportunity to meet new friends or see friends you have not seen for a while and have a good catch up. You don’t have to be a member of the RBL to attend so please do come along and bring your friends.

As the venue has asked for the number of attendees, if you think you will be attending could you please let me know by e-mailing Karen with the number attending, by Monday 29th July.

Looking forward to seeing you all soon.

Kind Regards

Karen Lockwood
Secretary

BRANCH NEWSLETTER - JUNE

Hello Everyone,

I hope you are all well and enjoying this current spell of good weather which will hopefully continue for the remainder of the summer.

We hope you all enjoyed the extensive and poignant coverage of the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Branch members attended various ceremonies to mark this auspicious occasion, in particular a ceremony in Plumelec, attended by President Macron and another in Lesneven. Further information and photographs will soon be posted onto the Branch website and Facebook page.

We would like to invite you to the RBL monthly social. Recently attendance has been good and it would be super to continue the trend this coming month.

The next Social is on Thursday the 4th July 2024 and will be held as usual at the Carpaccio Ristorante on Rue du Caire, Pontivy.

There will be the usual topical Quiz and a Raffle. Donations for raffle prizes are always most welcome.

As the venue has asked for the number of attendees, if you think you will be attending could you please let me know by e-mailing Karen with the number attending, by Monday 1st July.

Looking forward to seeing you all soon.

Kind Regards

Karen Lockwood
Secretary

BRANCH NEWSLETTER - MAY

Hello Everyone

I hope you are all well, have enjoyed a few sunny days and the current inclement weather is not too disappointing.

Unfortunately due to the 80^th anniversary of D-Day on the 6^th June and the absence of several branch members it has been agreed not to hold the monthly Brittany RBL lunch in June.

Whilst the main ceremonies will be taking place in Normandy there are also many ceremonies within Brittany and I would recommend you contact your Marie for details.

If anyone is involved in any ceremonies, can you please send me photos of the event and a small write-up so we can include it in our newsletter.

The next monthly RBL lunch will be on Thursday 4^th July 2024 and an email will be sent nearer the time.

Kind regards

Karen Lockwood
Secretary

BRANCH NEWSLETTER - APRIL

Hello Everyone,

I hope you are all well and enjoying this spell of nice weather, long may it last.

It’s that time again where we invite you to the RBL monthly social. Recently attendance has been good and we want to continue the trend this coming month.

The next Social is on Thursday the 2nd May 2024 and will be held as usual at the Carpaccio Ristorante on Rue du Caire, Pontivy.

There will be the usual topical Quiz and a Raffle. Donations for raffle prizes are always most welcome.

This is an ideal opportunity to meet new friends or see friends you have not seen for a while and have a good old catch up. You don’t have to be a member of the RBL to attend so please do come along and bring your friends.

As the venue has asked for the number of attendees, if you think you will be attending could you please let me know by e-mailing Karen with the number attending, by Monday 29th April.

Due to the branch being involved in various ceremonies to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, there will not be a lunch in June, but we will return in July.

Looking forward to seeing you all soon.

Kind Regards

Karen Lockwood
Secretary

BRANCH NEWSLETTER - MARCH

Hello Everyone,

I hope you are all well and looking forward to the Easter celebrations.

We had a very good attendance at the March lunch and would like to thank everyone for their continued support of the Branch.

We hope you have all enjoyed the recent spell of warm weather and are available to join us for the next British Legion Social on Thursday the 4th of April 2024. It will be held as usual at 12:00hrs at the Carpaccio Ristorante on Rue du Caire, Pontivy. To enable orders to be taken and to ensure you get your choice of meal please arrive no later than 12:00hrs.

There will be the usual topical Quiz, book stand and a Raffle. Donations for raffle prizes are always most welcome.

As the venue has asked for the number of attendees, if you think you will be attending could you please let me know by e-mailing Karen with the number attending, by Sunday 31st March.

A number of members are now back from their travels to sunnier climates and we look forward to hearing about your holidays.

Looking forward to seeing you all soon.

Kind Regards

Karen Lockwood

Secretary

N.B. We are updating our mailing list and therefore if you no longer wish to receive these updates or are aware of anyone who wishes to be added to the mailing list, please let us know.

BRANCH NEWSLETTER - FEBRUARY

Hello Everyone,

I hope you all had a lovely start to 2024 and are not too cold nor wet. I am sure everyone is looking forward to a few dry and sunny days.

The branch has been quite active this month with the well-attended February social, despite the traffic disruption due to the farmers action.

Also, on Sunday 4th February a number of Branch members attended two ceremonies in Finisitère. The first ceremony was organised by the UNC and local community to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the sacrifice of three valiant resistance fighters at Le Fessiou bridge. The second ceremony was organised by RBL members John Duncan and Jean-Michel Crewe with support from the La Forest-Landerneau officials to pay tribute to Sgt J F J Sheridan (Royal Air Force) at his graveside, to mark the anniversary of his death, at the age of 25. Sgt Sheridan’s family attended to pay their respects after making a special journey from England. Both ceremonies were well attended by various organisations with a wreath laid by the Chairman at each ceremony and an additional wreath laid for Sgt Sheridan, by Tony Turner whose brother was killed on the same weekend 79 years ago. More information is available on the “Remembrance in North Finisitère” Facebook page.

We are coping with the damp weather which is helped by the arrival of our 4 month old German Shepherd puppy. We are proving to be typical new parents whose baby is “so well behaved and so intelligent”!!!

We are also keen to leave the house and enjoy human company so what better way than to meet with you all at the March British Legion Social. As usual it will be held on the first Thursday of the month, Thursday 7th March at 12:00hrs at the Carpaccio Ristorante on Rue du Caire, Pontivy.

There will be the usual topical Quiz and a Raffle. Donations for raffle prizes are welcome.

As the venue has asked for the number of attendees, if you think you will be attending could you please let me know by e-mailing Karen with the number attending by Sunday 3rd March. If you say you are attending and your plans change can you please let us know.

Looking forward to seeing you all soon.

Kind Regards

Karen Lockwood

Secretary

N.B. We are updating our mailing list and therefore if you no longer wish to receive these updates or are aware of anyone who wishes to be added to the mailing list, please let us know.

NEWSLETTER - JANUARY

Hello Everyone,

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year and are looking forward to 2024.

Here, life goes on with the odd cold frost in the morning and rather damp weather. Thankfully the days are getting longer and the nights shorter as we sit in front of nice warm log fires in the evening deciding what to do tomorrow, or as is more often the case what not do tomorrow!

As February quickly approaches, New Year’s intentions have long been forgotten and the ‘New Year Diet’ has been banished to the cupboard for another year, it is time to think about getting out and enjoying ourselves. So what better way than to join us at our first British Legion Social of 2024.

It will be held as usual on the first Thursday of the month, Thursday 1st February at 12:00hrs at the Carpaccio Ristorante on Rue du Caire, Pontivy. .

There will be the usual topical Quiz and a Raffle. Donations for raffle prizes are welcome. So if you have any new or unwanted Christmas presents you don’t really want to keep, please do bring them along.

As the venue has asked for the number of attendees, if you think you will be attending could you please let me know by e-mailing Karen with the number attending, by Sunday 28th January .

We are aware that a number of members are fortunate enough to have escaped the Brittany winter weather for sunnier climates and wish you all happy holidays.

Looking forward to seeing you all soon.

Kind Regards

Karen Lockwood

Secretary

N.B. We are updating our mailing list and therefore if you no longer wish to receive these updates or are aware of anyone who wishes to be added to the mailing list, please let us know.

Archived Notices & Newsletters