Royal British Legion, Sedbergh & District Branch

Minutes for the monthly meeting held in the White Hart Club

On Tuesday 08 July 2025

The meeting started at 7:15 pm with the Exhortation and Silent Tribute led by the Chairman.

Those Present:

David Parratt, Tony Reed Screen, Keith Birbeck, John Pease, Stephen Moore, Myles Ripley.

Apologies:

Martin Gray, Rupert Follett, Rose Pease.

Minutes of the last meeting:

The minutes of the meeting held on 10 June, having been circulated by email, were approved as a true record.

Matters Arising:

The results from the Question-and-Answer session from the RBL Annual Conference during the Membership Forum will be available on the RBL Membership Administration Portal soon. This is in regard to our question relating to Case Workers having no face-to-face contact with veterans who need support.  

Treasure’s Report

Martin reported that the balance at 02 July was £1080.85, which includes £235 raised at our coffee morning 11 June. The Branch Accounts need to be submitted to our Area MEO by 30 September. Accounts will be presented for approval at the 09 Sep monthly meeting.

Branch Community Support:

The Chairman has made further contact with Beth Woodhouse, now the main contact for the Rawthey Project at Birks Farm. She will let us know regarding further opportunities for supporting veterans involved in the rehabilitation programme.

Social Events

Branch to hold Coffee Morning 0900-1130 Wed 06 August on behalf of the Rawthey Project. As always, members contributions for the cake stall, raffle prizes or support on the day would be most welcome.

Poppy Appeal

• The Poppy Appeal National Launch date is Thurs 23 October.
• Stock has been received. Roofbox team will again kindly provide support to make up poppy trays and label the collecting tins.
• The Scouts have been asked to support the poppy collections outside the bus shelter AM Sat 23 October and 01 November. Bill Mawdsley, Scout Leader will confirm.
• Advance items provided to Sedbergh School for their annual pilgrimage trip to Normandy in September.
• Feedback from Alan Whitmore, County Poppy Appeal Fundraiser:
  • Current county total for the Poppy Appeal 2024/25 is £612,562.
  • Nationally, £37,390,378 has been raised beating the previous years total with still VE Day, VJ Day, Armed Forces Day and other donations to come in.
  • RBL helped beneficiaries last year with 22,600 grants totalling £11.8 million.

AOB

• Artisan Market – as previously, Branch members will be manning a stall at the Sedbergh Artisan Markets 0930-1500 Sat 26 July and Sat 23 August 25. Our primary aim is to enhance visibility and awareness of the essential work the Royal British Legion undertakes on behalf of military veterans, both locally and nationally. Historically, face to face engagement with our local community has proven a successful recruiting tool, while in addition, affording us an early opportunity to promote forthcoming Remembrance Day appeals. Members are very welcome to come along and support. A manning roster will be produced before each event.
• Annual Membership Fee to be increased to £22 from 04 September 25.
• Branch Training – we are still awaiting a response from our County MEO regarding delivery of a Branch Management Training module this year.
• VJ Day 80 – service to be held at 1100 on Friday 15 August at the War Memorial. Iwan Lewis, Sedbergh Band is to confirm availability of piper to play the lament during the laying of the wreaths.
• Remembrance Sunday 09 November. Westmorland & Furness Council (W&FC), as of last year, only allow Finkle Street to be closed free of cost, during the service. We have asked Douglas Thomson, Sedbergh Parish Counciler if W&FC would consider a waiver for additional road ‘policing’ as for other Councils during the Remembrance.

There being no other business, the meeting closed with the Kohima Epitaph at 7.45 pm. The next meeting will be on Tuesday 09 September at the White Hart Social Club.