Letter From Our Chairman
WELCOME EVERYBODY!
OCTOBER 10th 2022 2022/3
Officers, & Members, Team Leaders, Members Wives, Sons, Daughters and all our Supporters. Just to be clear, I want to repeat. Everyone with ties to the Royal British Legion Branch of Horsforth. No Exceptions, that includes the Horsforth Council. World War 1 Museum. Welcome !
All Members and friends are considered special to us. Whether ex servicemen & women or those who have not been a member of the armed forces, all are welcome to be a part of the ongoing commission of the British Legion. We do not function so much on rank as commitment to the cause. If you would like to be part of this particular branch, we welcome your presence with us on equal status, as a fellow worker. If you are at the front, at the back, on just on the side lines, what you will be above all, is a valuable member.
WHAT IS A MEMBER ?
It is a part of something that makes up a whole. (that's whole not hole) a team that can get more done together than on ones own. We need all hands on deck. Every opportunity I get, I will tell you or better still show you that you matter. That is what the BranchMembers mean to me.
RULES & REGULATIONS
Rules and Regulations are there to help us stay on course, disciplines are necessary so everybody stays on the same page. However, sometimes common sense is all we need for some tasks. Membership was difficult throughout Covid as it was impossible to visit or stay in contact if you did not have the membership list. This was not possible because of people’s privacy and protection, a good thing. However, it worked against us as unless we could get permission from each individual to have their phone number, how do you get the details to start with? So if you missed out and didn’t get calls over the past year, I am very sorry for that. Please know we were doing our best. Notwithstanding our membership secretary was coping with a very difficult situation and was not able to pass on information himself, one because of rules and because he has had to step back for a while. I as the present person in the chair take full responsibility, I left it too long leaving it to others delegated.
We have been informed that one of the reasons we exist as a branch is comradeship, a set of people, some with like experiences of the armed forces, others with a strong sense of wanting to be involved and help ex service men and women and their families with help as and when they need it. This is our commission!
OPERATION MOBILISATION
This is where Operation Mobilisation comes in. It was passed by our Branch Officers just a week before Covid broke out with all it’s menacing virus tentacles. So had to be put on hold. When our next Branch meeting can be held, I will inform all our members and outline all the details. All the printing has been done, everything is waiting to be initiated. I believe it will enable every member to be as involved as they want to be, with opportunity to be part of the one or more of the 12 segments of this exciting plan to go forward into 2021/2 and beyond. It will also allow a hands on opportunity to see and be part of the Officers and Team Leaders role. Perhaps something you would like to take on in the future.
CONCLUSION
I suggest that we as existing members give permission to our Officers & Team Leaders our phone number and email so as to be reached as and when required. This is purely for RBL Members and friends who have given their permission. Then there will be no repeats of the current situation where many were left out of news and other member’s welfare. The RBL privacy policy is good but I am requesting a higher cause which RBL could not have foreseen, to continue to care about the comradeship we intend to uphold for our branch. This Covid issue has brought home to us that above all the material stuff and the plans we held, nothing takes the place of relationships. Its what makes us human. This way if you are hospitalised or need to talk to somebody, the means is there, communication is not cut off and people are not left adrift. In Afica if an animal gets left or lags behind they are killed off. We must help ours to keep up, keep in touch because ‘strays’ are picked off by negative thoughts and feel wounded. This must not happen to our branch. Keep safe and you will be informed when the next Branch meeting is to be held.
Branch Chairman; Rev Larry C. Hibberd
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To all residents of the Horsforth Community,
We invite you to come and join us each 2nd Tuesday of any month and see what we are all about.
We are now holding our meetings from September 2022 so if you needed an update or invitation to attend, this is it. Come and be part of our endeavours to uphold the morale, integrity and comradeship of the armed forces, both serving and non-serving are welcome.
We are a lively bunch of men and women who are passionate about caring for the Ex Service men and women in our area.
It's not all business, we laugh a lot and enjoy each others company,
We love an informal get together often, and are always looking for ways to spend time
as a branch on various trips and new locations whenever the opportunity presents itself.
There are many events you can be involved in during the year ( after the cover-19 demise of course.
We in turn support our cause by following up on the many invitations received through schools and young people's organisations in the area.
In 2022/3 we aspire to:
* Update Our Local News Continually
* We hope to publish our local Events
* We want to host our own local Daytime Annual Dinner nearer the end of the year.
Tickets Will Be Needed )
* To launch our "Legion Down Your Street" in 2022/3
* The 'Poppy Appeal' through local businesses and Supermarkets plus our own fabulous volunteers.
* The return of the 'Remembrance March and Service' in November ( all bells & whistles )
* So, why not give us a try and join our 'OPERATION MOBILISATION'
Come and learn how it works and be part of something much bigger than yourself,
where each member/volunteer is part of a group that he or she feels they can comfortably contribute.
Thinking of our members who are battling illnesses and operations at this time.
We are believing their recovery is on the way, however they, like all of our members, are precious,
so keep them in mind through this time. God Bless every member.
Officers are looking forward to seeing you all in the near future.
Don't forget Conservative membership is also open to us.
Rev Larry C. Hibberd (Chairperson)
