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He wondered if it had really been one year since he first stood here and read out his report to us. Where has the time gone, doesn’t seem that long ago, yet a lot happened has since that time?
With the funeral of our late Queen Elizabeth II and then the coronation of our new monarch King Charles III, to him it still takes a little bit of getting used to after all this time of referring to our Queen rather than having to say our King. He still chuckles sometimes at the slip that some make when saying God save the King etc.
The branch itself has continued to do what the branch does, be there for its members, serving, veterans and their families. It is the role that the Legion does exceptionally well and to those who carry out that task on behalf of us all, thank you. Two little words that sometimes get missed in the hurly-burly of modern life but yet can mean so much to those who strive to look after and ensure our members are not forgotten. They never will be!
The branch has been prominent in many areas this year, as it has done in the past attending many functions, fetes and parades. Our standard, through our standard bearer, Mike Stark, ably assisted on occasions by Vice Chair or the Parade Marshal, has been proudly paraded on several occasions, although sometimes sadly at ceremonies where we’ve had to say farewell to our own. To you all again I thank for representing the Branch so honorably.
Thank you to our secretary who, as always produces minutes and correspondence to enable us all to follow the branches progress, again a job that takes up a considerable amount of time behind-the-scenes.
To our parade marshal and youth liaison I say thank you. They have both again represented the branch to the full and indeed have seen the affiliation of Stover school into the system. It is also worth noting that other affiliations are being cemented ensuring that the many cadets and others in the area become and remain a part of our family.
To the chair, it is difficult to find additional words or indeed new words that can describe how our chair does so much for this branch and for the Legion as a whole. His knowledge, his enthusiasm his downright fortitude amazes me, making sure that everything ticks, that the branch is represented both locally, regionally and nationally and we as members know what the branch is for. The work every year as the poppy appeal officer takes weeks to come to fruition and is ably assisted by many others to enable us to take our boxes out for collecting onto the streets. That alone is a task undertaken by the Chair and the many helpers ensuring the poppy appeal locally is a success.
The chair, I know, does not look for recognition nor indeed thanks, he does what he does for both the Legion the branch and its members without really seeking thanks or recognition but for me as your branch president all I can say is, Richard, it has not gone unnoticed and your contribution is always welcomed and appreciated.
As we move into yet another year, I refer to in my last year’s report and I refer to it again now. It is the youth, in my opinion, that will take the mantle of the Legion forward it has to be so if the Legion is to continue to be there for all. whether serving, veterans or family and I look forward to seeing how the youth takes on this mantle over the coming years. I am certain that all of you who have served the Legion to date and will continue I hope for some time, will be there to offer advice, encouragement and a helping hand to those coming behind us.
The Legion will and must continue to adapt and I am confident that this Branch and the Legion as a whole, will continue to grow and be there for all, as and when required. Life changes, its perspectives changes, our perspective changes but there is one continuum and that is the Royal British Legion.
In conclusion I want to say thank you, to you the Royal British Legion Newton Abbot Branch, who, through your dedication and service, are here for both serving , veterans and the community at large, for the commitment that you make to be part of our community and engage with it and last but not least, thank you for giving me the opportunity to be your president, an honour that I will treasure.
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