NEWSLETTER - December 2018

Christmas Draw - Tomorrow  - 4th December 2018

No doubt you are all chomping at the bit and besides yourselves with anticipation and excitement awaiting tomorrows Christmas Draw, and rightly so, Pamela has put together a fantastic array of prizes, which I have reproduced below. Some of you will be unable to sleep, such is your excitement, I hope you all win something fantastic.

We will have more tickets available tomorrow, which will, no doubt, be snapped up once you have seen the prizes on offer.

We will ‘crack on’ with the draw after lunch and it will be conducted by Rodney and myself with Pamela supervising us and keeping records, being a female she is able to multitask!

There will be no need to claim your prizes immediately, they will be delivered to your table at the conclusion of the draw.

AGM -  6th November 2018

Thank you for staying and participating in the AGM, the turnout was magnificent.

As you know most of the Committee agreed to stand for another year and I thank you all for your commitment. Ann Thomson stood down as she will be relocating back to the UK in the coming months. Ann has had a fantastic two years and was instrumental in the relocation of the Troc venue and it’s subsequent success. Thank you Ann and best wishes from us all.

Lisa Adams has joined the committee and brings a wealth of experience in events planning.

The Poppy Appeal - 2018. 

Not all monies are in yet so we await the final figure, but I know it is well into 5 figures, another fantastic year for Kate. I will produce a separate newsletter when I know the final tally.

Don’t forget there will be no meeting in January as the Hotel is closed.

That’s all from me folks, have a lovely evening and I will see most of you tomorrow.

Basha

David Bashford

Chairman

PRIZE LIST – CHRISTMAS DRAW 2018

1. £200 BRITTANY FERRIES VOUCHER                                                     
2. DFDS 1 CAR 2 PASSENGERS RETURN CROSSIN
3. CONDOR FERRIES DAY EXCURSION 2 PEOPLE ST MALO-JERSEY
4. SPECIAL CHRISTMAS CAKE                                                                           
5. LARGE CHAMPAGNE CHRISTMAS HAMPER
6. CHAMPAGNE CHRISTMAS HAMPER
7. SEKT CHRISTMES HAMPER                                
8. CHAMPAGNE CHRISTMAS HAMPER                           
9. BISCUITS, SWEETS AND CRACKERS BASKET
10. “HAPPY NEW YEAR” HAMPER
11. “TEA TIME” HAMPER
12. “SWEET TOOTH” HAMPER
13. CHRISTMAS TREATS BASKET
14. PORT AND STILTON BASKET                                                                 
15. BREAKFAST BASKET
16. SAVOURY BASKET                                                                                    
17. DOLCE GUSTO COFFEE MACHINE
18. RUSSELL HOBBS FONDUE SET
19. NOVELTY WINE RACK WITH WINE
20. TEDDY BEAR
21. SANDWICH TOASTER                                                                                          
22. 480 YORKSHIRE TEA BAGS
23. BOTTLE TEACHERS WHISKEY
24. MARKS AND SPENCERS WATCH
25. BODY SHOP VITAMIN E GIFT SET
26. HOLLY CUSHION
27. BREAD BOARD, CERAMIC KNIFE & BASKET SET
28. CHINESE MEAL VOUCHER FOR TWO LANTERNE ROUGE
29. CIDRE ‘BRETAGNE’ SET
30. McVITIES BISCUITS BOX
31. DOLCE GUSTO COFFEE MACHINE
32. TOFFEE STAR
33. THERAPUTIC MASSAGE VOUCHER €35
34. CBJ ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION

CHRISTMAS MENU

Hello my friends,

It’s that time of the year again when we think of ………Christmas….oh no….oh yes.

I have produced below, the return you need to fill out and send back to me with cheque or bring it to the November social with your Cash/Cheque. (Cheques should be made payable to: RBL Central Brittany Branch)

Click here for the form you need to fill out

If you are flexible with the dates please tell me. Also if you wish to sit with a group, tell me and I will endeavour to sit you together.

Some members have already booked in, acting on the info contained in my last newsletter, and it looks like the 10th will be oversubscribed, the venue will only take 40 so you need to act quickly if the 10th is your only option.

Anyone who has messaged via Facebook please let me know because I’m not receiving all messages, seems to be unreliable.

That's all for now folks, don’t forget Kate and Rodney will be at the Prestige Lifestyle Show in Rohan on the 21st October with the full range of RBL Poppy Appeal merchandise.

My Kindest Regards to you all.

Basha

NEWSLETTER - October 2018

Good Afternoon my friends,

Is it me or has this year ‘Flown by’ I can’t believe it is the 1st of October. It seems like just yesterday I did the September newsletter and here I am scribing the October edition.

Sadly, September is the month we lost our good friend Phil Beckett, many of us said a fond farewell at his funeral on Saturday and I was proud to say a few word on your behalf. Phil was someone I could bounce ideas off and he was always brutally honest, telling me 'that’s rubbish' or 'that will work', just what you need, honest, constructive criticism, I will miss him a lot and my thoughts are with those who shared his table every month. I passed on our love and condolences to his daughter Jo and son Mick and his family.

September saw the launch of the Poppy Appeal and it was a pleasure to attend the Garden Tea Party, which also remembered the cessation of hostilities of the Great War, ‘The war to end all wars' it was dubbed! Humanity certainly hasn’t learn a thing from that or subsequent conflicts. 

I would like to congratulate Kate and Rodney for their tenacity in keeping the poppy appeal to the forefront of our charity efforts with this event, and of course ably assisted by their willing band of helpers.

In Kates own words:

Garden Tea Party. Thank you so much everyone who supported us at the recent garden/tea party at our house, which raised 316 euros for the Poppy Appeal.

Poppy Boxes. If anyone knows of someone who would like to take a box of poppies for their business or for personal use, I would be delighted to bring one to the next social, or indeed to post poppies to you.

Wreaths. If anyone wants a wreath or anything from HQ, I suggest you order quickly, as they seem to be taking ages this year. 

Poppy Merchandise. Please do let me know if you will require anything at the next social, where we will have the usual poppy table and extra things you may like for Christmas. I know it is early, but I also know people have to post things to friends and family.

Best wishes and thank you to you all, 

Kate 02 97 39 60 69 and poppyappeal@rblbrittany.fr 

Next Social: Tuesday 2nd October 2018, Au Relais de l’Oust, Josselin 1200hrs for a 1230hrs start

There will be the normal tables and Marilyn will be bringing her craft stall, so an early chance to get those Christmas pressies ‘under your belt’ we will have a general knowledge quiz. We will also be taking your membership renewal should you wish to pay by. cash or French cheque.

Renewal of Membership: If you would like to renew your membership by either cash or a French cheque please bring the renewal letter you should have received from HQ London, this will speed up your receipt of your membership card. The renewal cost is €20.

Brittany Veterans Breakfast Club: The next BVBC will take place on Saturday 6th October 2018 at 1000hrs at La P’tite Pause, 8 Lieu Dit, St Lubin, 22110 Kergrist-Moëlou, please let me know if you would like to attend.

AGM, 6th November 2018: The AGM will take place directly after the Social meeting on 6th November 2018. This is your chance to have a say and vote for a new committee.

Christmas Draw, 4th December 2018: The Christmas Draw will take place during the December Social meeting on 4th December 2018. We have received three ferry vouchers and will be offering a variety of hampers, a coffee machine and various other prizes. If you would like to donate a prize please speak to Pamela. The tickets should have arrived on Friday, but fear not I will get them to you in good time. 

Christmas Meals, 10th and 18th December 2018: The Christmas meals will take place on the 10th and 18th December 2018 at the ‘Le Moulin de Pont Samoël, Silfiac. This is the same location as last year and was a huge success. The cost to members this year will be €22 per head and €27 to non members. Our friends ‘The Rhythm Buddies will once again be supporting us, free of charge, for both events. I will produce a detailed menu with choices and email you separately.

Well, that’s about all from me folks, I’ll see some of you tomorrow, drive carefully.

One last thing ‘go give your loved one a hug’

My kindest Regards to you all.

Basha

David Bashford

Chairman

POPPY APPEAL

On Wednesday, September the 19th, there will be a tea party in our garden, starting at 3 pm, to raise money for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.  If you can come and if you would like to, please wear clothes suitable to celebrate the end of the First World War, and preferably book with Kate on 0297396069. If you want to be sure of a seat, please bring a chair!

Thank you in advance.

Kate.

Catherine Curtis 

Poppy Appeal Organiser.

la Lande de Boloré,

56480,

Saint Aignan,

France.

poppyappeal@rblbrittany.fr

NEWSLETTER - AUGUST 2018

Good Evening My Friends,

I hope you are all surviving this really hot spell and not overdoing it. The song ‘Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun' springs to mind, but never was a truer word spoken or sung.

Seriously, people are dying in Spain so please be extra careful, don’t go out unless you have to, if you have to, take plenty of water with you, cover up and get out the sun blocker.

I have repeated, below, my appeal for committee members for the next year. If you are interested in helping in any way please speak to me after the quiz on Tuesday.

Rodney and Kate are hosting a garden tea party on the 19th September 2018 at 3pm. Once again this fantastic couple are pulling out all the stops to both launch the 2018 Poppy Appeal season and commemorate the end of the First World War. Rodney and Kate are approaching their 30th year as Poppy Appeal organisers and we are truly blessed to have them as members of our branch. Thank you both, so much.

See Kates message below regarding wreath orders. Rodney and Kate are going to the UK soon and will be filling their car up with poppy appeal goodies and wreaths. This saves us a fortune in postage costs, so if you need anything ordered please do so by Tuesday 7th August.

Monthly Social - Tuesday 7th August 2018 - Au Relais de l’Oust

This month there will be a general knowledge quiz, raffle, Poppy Appeal table, welfare and book stall

Important news regarding the future of the Branch - Repeat Appeal.

I wanted you all to know that Pamela and I will not be seeking re-election for the year 2018-19. This is our 7th year of quite intensive involvement as committee members, especially these last 2 years and we are both now ready to step down. 

Rodney will also step down after an even longer commitment to the Branch. Our Treasurer, Peter Beauchamp will step down after the June 2019 audit. Ann Thomson has her house on the market with a view to moving back to the UK and Carol and Dave Allen are considering their future, so as you can see there are major changes on the horizon. Kev Ball is prepared to continue as our Secretary.

If this Branch is to continue we will need: a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer, post June 2019 and Events Organiser 

We really want the Branch to continue and new blood is needed, urgently, to take up these posts. We really need names in by the end of September.

Messages from Kate:

Wreaths and other Poppy Appeal and Poppy Shop Items.

Reminder - As I will be placing an order for the wreaths and other items that have been requested in early August,  if you require anything and can meet us for collection, we can avoid the postage charges.

Poppy Appeal Launch and Commemoration of the end of the First World War - Garden Tea Party

On Wednesday 19th September 2018, there will be a tea party in our garden, starting at 3 pm, to raise money for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.  If you can come and if you would like to, please wear clothes suitable to celebrate the end of the First World War, and preferably book with Kate on 0297396069. If you want to be sure of a seat, please bring a chair!

Kate.

Catherine Curtis (Mme)

Poppy Appeal Organiser.

la Lande de Boloré,

56480,

Saint Aignan,

France.

poppyappeal@rblbrittany.fr

www.rblbrittany.fr

Thats all from me folks, hope to see you all on Tuesday.

My kindest regards to you all,

Basha

David Bashford

Chairman

Central Brittany Branch

The Royal British Legion

POPPY APPEAL

From Kate and Rodney Curtis.

Do come and join us to advertise the Poppy Appeal and watch the Tour de France on July the 12th when it passes through our village!!! For information about times etc, contact Rodney and Kate, tel 02 97 39 60 69. Alternatively, you can watch it live on numerous TV channels.

POPPY SUPPLIES - if you need wreaths etc for this November, remember if you can collect from us, I can order items postage free at the beginning of August. After that, there MAY be added postage costs.

NEWSLETTER - July 2018

Good Afternoon Everyone,

Chinese Meal - Pontivy - Tuesday 19th June 2018

Firstly, a reminder that we have reserved 30 seats at the 'Lantern Rouge' Chinese Restaurant in Pontivy tomorrow, there are still plenty of seats available, but please let me know ASP if you would like to join the ‘Happy Throng’ of those attending.

Festival of Remembrance and Cenotaph Parade 2018

I have received the following advanced information regarding this years events. This is a major change in the procurement procedure for obtaining tickets for these events. It is no longer necessary to obtain them through the Branch. I have reproduced the info ‘as received’:

Please find attached the Special Circular for the Festival of Remembrance and Cenotaph Parade 2018.

Recent changes in Data Protection laws and increased security measures have meant a review of the process for obtaining tickets to attend the Festival of Remembrance.   This is timely, because it has given us an opportunity to act on feedback from the Membership by changing to a fairer and more straightforward system of obtaining tickets.   Under the new system, Members will buy tickets directly from the ticket agent  on a first-come-first served basis from 23rd July.   There is also a new pricing structure for the purchase of tickets, which now allows members to select their own seating and pay accordingly, meaning a fairer allocation of seating within the Albert Hall.  There will be no additional booking fees for Members and administrative costs for the process will be covered by the Legion.

We have consulted widely on this process, including the National Chairman, Membership Council, Directors, representative MSOs (also using last year’s feedback) and Membership Department.  We believe that this new system means fairer distribution and fairer pricing along with an equal opportunity for all Members to secure a ticket. It will also ensure that Members’ personal data is secure.

Les Forsdyke - I have been unable to contact Les’s brother so am still ‘In the dark’ regarding any funeral arrangements pending. I will inform you if I receive any info.

That’s all for now my friends, enjoy the rest of this lovely day.

Basha

David Bashford

Chairman

Central Brittany Branch

The Royal British Legion

NEWSLETTER - April 2018

Hello everyone,  

I hope ‘All fools Day’ went well for you and you didn’t get caught out. We survived unscathed. It is quite a poignant day for me personally as it is my late father’s birthdate, so his photograph joins us for breakfast and we toast him with his favourite ‘tipple’ a cup ‘O’ tea!

Rodney and Kate attended the ‘Operation Chariot’ commemorations at Saint Nazaire. I was laid low with a tummy bug and thought it prudent not to attend, so thank you both for standing in and laying the Branch remembrance wreath on my behalf. Good to report that Kate is fighting fit after her ‘turn’ at the last social.

The next monthly social is this coming Tuesday the 3rd April and we will have a traditional quiz, this month set by Sylvia Hibbert. Pamela has put together a nice set of raffle prizes and Sandra Belsten will be bringing her handicrafts. Trish will bring a selection of greetings cards, Kate will have the Poppy Appeal merchandise and we will have a book stall, so something for everyone. 

I have detailed below the events coming up but must emphasise the importance of the Troc to this Branch, it sets us up financially for the whole year and it needs to succeed.

It is a joint effort and if you can spare some time to assist please speak to Ann Thomson. We also need volunteers to make/donate cakes, we can even supply the ingredients.

Dave and Carol Allen are the catering coordinators so please offer your services to them. All table were sold some time ago so we are expecting a full house and with a little luck this year should be a record breaker.

Kate has received a delivery of new ‘WW1 Centenary' brooches in 2 different styles, and the 1918-2018 poppy brooch, she will have them on sale at €3.00 each along with other Poppy Appeal merchandise. The Poppy Appeal isn’t just a November thing, for Kate it’s all 12 months of the year and she and Rodney have been ‘at it’ for approaching 30 years! Amazing, Outstanding, Humbling.

Troc and Puces 

15th April 2018 - Salle Drosera Plumeliau

The Troc and Puces to be held on Sunday 15th April 2018 is an extremely important event for our Branch and Ann Thomson, Carol and Dave Allen have been beavering away in the background in preparation, however we do need your help for this event to be a success, If you are able to spare us the whole day, half day or a few hours it would be very much appreciated. We particularly need help in setting up on Sunday morning, we start at 0800hrs and with many hands it won’t take long and I will personally buy you all a cup of Coffee/Tea, no expense spared! We also need help taking down/clearing/cleaning after the event. 

Cakes: To keep costs down we are asking if you would be prepared to donate a Cake/cakes/scones/muffins/homemade bread etc. Please would you advise one of the organisers if you can do this. If you can’t make the Troc but would like to donate a cake, please bring it to the April social, we have plenty of room in our freezer.

Diary Dates:

Tuesday 3rd April 2018 - 1230hrs - Monthly Social

Au Relais de l’Oust

There will be some form of quiz this month plus the raffle, Poppy Appeal merchandise, books and the Welfare table will be taken over by Sandra and her handicrafts and Trish will be bringing her greetings/birthday/special occasion cards.

Sunday 15th April - Troc and Puces - 1000 - 1700hrs - Salle Drosera, Plumeliau

Details above.

Friday 20th April 2018 - 1200hrs - Fish and Chips - Pont Samoel, Silfiac

Most of us now know what quality food Patrick and Kathy constantly serve. We have booked 30 places for the 20th April. 

If you do not want fish and chips a limited menu is available, including a vegetarian option. (Advanced notice reqd)

I would recommend the traditional home made Cornish Pasty. Kathy, being Cornish knows what a real pasty looks like, it’s huge (Doggy bag provided) Again, please let me know if you would like the pasty.

Please book through me, including any dietary requirements: chairman@rblbrittany.fr

Tuesday 1st May 2018 - 1230hrs - Monthly Social

Au Relais de l’Oust

Just to confirm, although this is May Day and a traditional Bank Holiday, the Relaise will be open for us.

There will be some form of quiz this month plus the raffle, Poppy Appeal merchandise, books and Welfare table.

Tuesday 5th June 2018 1230hrs - Monthly Social

Au Relais de l’Oust

There will be a Bingo Session this month plus the raffle, Poppy Appeal merchandise, books and Welfare table. 

My kindest regards to you all.

Basha.

The Troc et Puces publicised in Le Télégramme.