AGM - November 2025

The branch AGM was held on 25th November 2025 at the Six Bells, Fulbourn.

The annual report was as follows:

Current Officers & Committee Following on from the AGM last year It was agreed that Lucy Lewis would be our president.

The full committee was:
President Lucy Lewis
Chairman Gerald Norden Secretary Tony Claydon Treasurer Dave Glover
Committee Members Peter Collis Pauline Cox Lorna Woor Jean Stevens, Morris Woolcock Sarah Hurst Michael Perkins
Standard Bearer Paul Thorbinson Also committee member

Membership
The current membership is 55 during the year no new members where registered .

Remembering Those who are no longer with us since last AGM
We said goodbye to Mrs Jill Lacey and also Brian Scullion. Sadly we have very recently lost Anne Sporle a good supporter of many years.

VE-Day Celebrations
This was our main event for the year.
We were able to provide a Fish and chip lunch to 80senior citizens in the village at no cost to then thanks to a local charity. During the lunch we had wonderful support and singing from both Fulbourn School and Landmark International students.
Our VIP guests were:-
Mrs Peggy Tate 101 years former Wren Mr George Cullen RAF Lancaster Navigator, Mrs Jill Lacey 93 yrs- longest serving Poppy Collector
This was followed by the showing of the Dad’s Army film. Followed by community singing and the lighting of the beacon.
We were able to also erect a number of silhouette soldiers around the Memorial. Which looked really great. Along with suitable bunting and flags for VE day

Fulbourn Feast
This year along with our normal tombola and Games. Once again were also very lucky that two people with Military vehicles said they would bring their vehicles to our stand which proved to be a good attraction. We must thank the owners of these vehicles not only for turning up on the day but also forgoing their normal fee and asking us to put that to the poppy appeal. The feast organiser also agreed to forgo our site fees for the same appeal.

Meeting venue
Our thanks go to the landlord of the Hat & Rabbit for letting us meet there while things at the Six bells got sorted. We were able to hold a VE/VJ Quiz night at the Hat & Rabbit which proved most popular
After much debate and meetings with the owners and landlord of the Six bells it was decided to go back to holding all our meetings there. They were happy for us to replace the existing shed with a new larger one.

Tea Dance
It was agreed that as well as the tea dance there would be a display relevant to D-day in the lobby that was accessible to the public during the day. The event was voted a great success thanks to all who helped with the organisation

A Farewell Dinner
For our Chaplain of 15 years reverend Nigel Uden whose support for the branch was tireless and never ceasing. We wish him all the very best in his so well deserved retirement.
Silhouette Soldiers

VE Day
For VE day rather than purchase the official soldier’s, our secretary volunteered to make some out of plywood. These looked very effective around the War Memorial during the period of VE day. They were also on duty for Remembrance Sunday.

Standard Bearer
We were very pleased to learn that our Standard Bearer Paul Thorbinson came second in the County Standard Bearers competition. Just three points behind first place.

Poppy Appeal
Our Thanks go once again to the Tesco for allowing us to collect there. Also, the co-op in the village. Once again, we were fortunate in that we had boxes in all the university colleges. The total raised by the branch will be covered in the treasurers report.

Treasurers Report

The latest Branch Accounts were approved by the Branch Committee on 7 July 2025. 
An Independent Examination of the Summary of Income and Expenditure together with books and vouchers 
relating to those summaries was undertaken by Debbie Reynolds, RBL Independent Examiner.  
A copy of the Branch Accounts was issued to the County Membership Support Officer on 25 July. 

Summary of Balances:
Balance held 30 June 2024  £11,751.47 Bank = £737.80; BFI account = £10,864.05, Cash = £149.62 
Balance held 30 June 2025  £11,121.16 Bank = £776.00; BFI account = £10,179.80, Cash = £100.13 
Decrease in year to 30 June 2025      £630.31