The passing in 2023 of our President, Andrew Hodson, after a long illness hit members of the NMA Branch hard.  Andrew lived a life of service and sacrifice both in his military career and within the Royal British Legion, the NMA Branch, and the NMA itself. 

The NMA Branch Committee and Membership could not help but get caught up in his whirlwind of enthusiasm and it was therefore decided to organise an "Afternoon of Reflection" on Sunday 8 October 2023 to remember him and unveil a plaque on the Branch bench in his memory.

Andrew always said that 3pm was time for tea and cake when on-site at the NMA and so those refreshments were available at that time for those attending. 

The Branch has also decided to fund the Andrew Hodson Award for Outstanding Contribution, to be given each year to someone associated with the Branch who has gone that extra mile.  This year it was decided to present the Award, a silver salver with a glass trophy for the individual to keep, to Andrew’s wife Jo in recognition of Andrew's inspirational leadership.

Comradeship:

The majority of Branch members are online and so members are contacted with information via email and can attend Branch meetings in person or via TEAMS.  This has enabled members living geographically distant from the NMA to participate. 

For those not on email, an annual letter was sent out to 33 members summarising Branch activities and including images of new memorials and activities at the NMA in 2023.  This letter was also used to reach out to members from whom emails kept bouncing back, with a request for them to update their email address.  The NMA supported us by providing photocopying and postage facilities.

This year it was a great pleasure to welcome Branch members from South Africa.

In August, we were able to assist the Dromore Branch from Northern Ireland in planning their trip to the NMA facilitating a wreath laying service at one of the Irish memorials.  Their day culminated with them being invited to parade their Standard at the Chindits annual service which was held on the same day.

Representation:

We continue to support the Royal British Legion and the NMA where and when asked.  For example, several members assisted with the planting of Poppy Crosses for the creation of the Field of Remembrance at the NMA in November.

Branch members also support the work of the Legion at the RBL Outreach stand within the Remembrance Centre, providing veterans, their families and members of the public with information about Legion services or researching details of relatives who have died in past conflicts as part of the Service Connection Project.

Remembrance:

Our main Standard Bearer Beth Grey has retained her title as National Branches District Standard Bearer, and in that capacity has paraded the District Standard at the Festival of Remembrance in the Royal Albert Hall, the Cenotaph for the funeral procession of the late Queen Elizabeth II and the Coronation of King Charles III among other events.

We have and will continue to offer a wreath laying service to all that ask.  For example, the Branch lays a wreath annually at the HMS Neptune memorial for an 88-year-old gentleman whose brother died on HMS Neptune.  This we will be doing for a total of 10 years, the gentleman having paid the cost of the wreaths to the NMA.

In addition, our Standard Bearers Beth Grey, Katie Lockton and Kai Myers have paraded the Branch Standard in support of Remembrance events at the NMA on numerous occasions in the past year. 

Fundraising:

The total collected for the 2022/2023 Poppy Appeal was £11,318.48.

The 2023/2024 Poppy Appeal is still ongoing, with the amount collected so far amounting to £10,967.21.

Membership:

Our membership continues to increase and now stands at 744.

The Branch is fully compliant and will be represented by 2 Branch Officers at National Conference. 

In 2023 the Branch was awarded the Churchill Shield. The award could not be presented at National Conference due to unforeseen circumstances.  However, Trustee Lynda Atkins attended the NMA Branch AGM later in the year to make the presentation.

Youth Affiliation:

The Branch now has 39 detachments of Staffordshire and West Midlands (Northern Sector) Army Cadet Forces affiliated, 6 of these joining directly with the Branch and others through the Area Commandant. 

We have also affiliated with Burton-on-Trent Air and Sea Cadets. 

Certificates of Affiliation have been designed by Branch Committee member Bob Williams and presented to the affiliated Cadet Units.

One of the activities proposed is to provide Standard Bearer training and run a Standard Bearer competition for the Affiliated units.  To date, the improvement in Standard Bearers from Uttoxeter has been commented upon favourably by those outside the Branch.