THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION
FRECHVILLE and DISTRICT BRANCH
Reg: Charity No: 219279
Minutes of the Meeting held on 18 May 2016
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Meeting Opening: The Meeting opened at 19:10 hours with a homage to the fallen
2. Present: There were 24 members and 1 guest present
3. Apologies: There were 6 apologies
4. Minutes of the last meeting: Proposed: by Phil Thickett, seconded by Fred Hall, that The Minutes of the meeting held on 20 Apr 2016 be passed as read. Carried
5. Matters arising:
Alan Walker - Sponsored Walk: Alan successfully completed his walk of The West Highland Way and has raised £805 for Prostate Cancer, and was congratulated by the branch.
Sheffield Central Branch: Four remaining members of the now defunct Sheffield Central Branch will transfer to Sheffield Hallam Branch. This should ease the City Centre Poppy Selling problems.
Somme Memorabilia: Somme Wreaths, Crosses and Enamel Pin Badges are now available to order from the RBL Site, for delivery in June.
Wreaths are £12 and £18.50. Pin Badges are £2 and Crosses £1.50
http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/remembrance/how-we-remember/wreaths/
6. Agenda:
The President spoke on the “Honour Guard” line up at Bill Carline's Funeral, when some members were left outside the chapel, and what measures need to be taken to prevent a recurrence of this
Proposed by The Chairman, seconded by Eric Colley that Dave Warburton be appointed “Parade Marshall” Carried
7. Additions to the Agenda
8. Correspondence:
The final Agenda for the 2016 Annual Conference is published and available to view from The Secretary
Highlights:
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Vote to disband the Women's Section.
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RBL to open mental Welfare Centres in UK
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Youth joining fees (12 – 17years) removed
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£16 Membership Fee frozen until end of 2017 (Proposed and seconded by members of this branch)
Bryan Green will attend the conference on behalf of the branch and will give a report at a future meeting
8. Treasurers Report:
The Treasurer thanked the branch and all the individuals who sponsored his recent West Highland Way Walk
Treasurer: Fund: £ 950.25
Legion Fund: £ 324.84
Poppy Appeal £ 65,063.51 ….
...of which £ 51,536.00 is paid direct to The Royal British Legion
The Treasurer then spoke about the new web based ordering system for the upcoming poppy season, and of the spreadsheet of stock items he will be maintaining for audit purposes.
He is also liaising with Area Poppy Organisers in ordering Special Packs from The Poppy shop
Moss Elliott handed over £140 raised selling poppies in Spain, and was thanked by The Chairman
9. New members: The Chairman welcomed Claire Ashforth and Chris Edwards.
10. Website. The Secretary has published new photos of Bill Carline's Funeral and HMS Sheffield Remembrance Service.
http://branches.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/frecheville/photo-gallery
11. Other Business:
The Shiregreen Branch will be holding their Christmas Function at The Novotel in Sheffield on Dec 8th 2016. Members of Frecheville Branch are invited to join them. Names to The Chairman this week please. Cost is expected to be approx £24 per head.
Fred Hall mentioned a recent newspaper article, which has sparked a campaign to count former members of the armed forces in the national census. It said “having a clearer picture of current and former military personnel, which is estimated to make up a tenth of the population, will help direct care and support for them”
Claire Ashforth, a member of staff at Birley Community Primary School, spoke of an upcoming program of WW1 related sessions at the school, culminating in a “Community Day” on Tue 21st June, and asked if members would care to assist in these sessions. Many said they will and Steve Bush will liaise with Claire over the next few days, with a view to a few members taking part in a “Presentation and Q&A Session” in mid June, to an audience of 9 and 10 year olds.
All members will then be invited to the Community Day, and those wearing medals will be especially welcome. Timings and further details to follow.
Bryan Green mentioned that “Help for Heroes” collectors have been asked not to collect during the Poppy Sales period, Oct 29th to Nov 12th
Upcoming Events:
30 April – July 2016: Echoes of the Great War – Photographs by Peter Cattrell – A Pictorial Exhibition of “Somme” Landscapes: Harold Cantor Gallery, Weston Park Sheffield
29 May 2016: Battle of Jutland Commemoration: No details of planned events, but 4PM Service at Sheffield Cathedral will include special prayers
17 June 2016: Unveiling of the Women of Steel statue. A public appeal has raised over £160,000 for a stunning bronze statue to be unveiled as a permanent memorial to the Women of Steel. No timings yet available
18 June 2016: Sheffield Armed Forces and Veterans Day. A day of celebration and recognition of the armed forces community in Sheffield. Parade from Norfolk Row to Peace Gardens. Entertainment in the Peace Garden. Stalls on Fargate and in the Winter Garden. 11am to 4pm, starting with Parade from Norfolk Row to Peace Gardens
18 June 2016: Civic Saturday Parade. Welcoming the new Lord Mayor. The parade will start at Tudor Square and end at the Sheffield Cathedral with a service to follow. 3pm Parade from Tudor Square
20 June 2016: 10th anniversary of the Yorkshire Regiment : Flag raising event at the cenotaph – Barkers Pool. No timings yet available
25 June 2016: Yorkshire Regiment Freedom Parade., March to Devonshire Green, 2.30pm Assembly at Sheffield Station
There being no further business, the Meeting closed at 20:15 hours
“The Queen”
