Minutes of the Toddington Branch of The Royal British Legion

Committee Meeting 19:30hrs

Tuesday 15^th July 2025

1. Present - John Wood , Lee Stone, Kelly Grumoli, Nigel Washington, Lynda Bryant, Debbie Gibbons, Graeme Kelly, Bil Levinson, Melanie Parker (PAO)

2. Apologies – Pippa Brazier, Linda Washington, Glen Gadsden

3. Silent Tribute.

4. Exhortation

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;

age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

we will remember them.

5. Previous Meeting – Committee Meeting 17^th June 2025

Proposed – Bil Levinson

Seconded – Graeme Kelly

6. Chairmans Report

Toddington Village Magazine.

Our latest RBL page by Graeme will be in the August edition of the village magazine on page 24, this edition’s page concerns increasing our membership, whilst dispelling the myth that any potential new members had to have been in the armed forces,

Royal British legion membership is open to everyone who wishes to be part of our organisation to assist in Safeguarding the welfare, interests, and memory of those who have served in the Armed Forces.

80^th Anniversary of VJ Day

VJ-80 will be commemorated on the 15^th August 2025

We will be holding a short remembrance service on the village green beginning at 8pm, followed by the Village Beacon being lit as tribute to all those who fought in the far east.

Japanese surrender on the USS Missouri – 2^nd September 1945 – Tokyo Bay, Japan.

Branch Facebook page.

Graeme has set up a Toddington RBL Facebook page, which will hopefully enhance our profile in the village, if you use Facebook, please take a look.

Melanie, Debbie, Bridie, and myself attended the Wingfield Car show on Sunday 13^th July with the Poppy Appeal Merchandise Stall, details of our efforts are in Mel’s Poppy Appeal report below

There is no meeting in August because of the summer holidays, but there will be the VJ Day service on Friday 15^th August followed by our annual Coffee Morning at the Wesley Hall on Saturday 25^th October.

7. Reports

7.1 Treasurer – Debbie Gibbons

The branch accounts have now been completed, audited, and agreed at this meeting; these will now be sent to Ellie Nellis, our membership engagement officer to be checked and sent on to head office.

7.2 Membership Secretaries Report – Bil Levinson

From the membership list on 7^th of July 2025, we now have 61 members. This is a further increase of one since last month!

Web Site Report

The web site is up to date as far as I can tell, including July Minutes.

7.3 Poppy Appeal Update – Melanie Parker

2024/2025 Poppy Appeal Update

 The local poppy appeal has been increased by recent events as follows:

• VE Day event on green Raffle - £223.00
• VE Day event on green Merchandise - £153.81
• VE Day afternoon tea at Melanie’s - £209.32
• £5 additional pin sales
• Total Raised for VE Day - £ 591.13
• 2 x Wreaths paid from Branch for VE & VJ day - £60.00
• Villate Fete £0.00
• Wingfield car show - £145.07
• Total recent income: £796.20

Closing figures at end of September will be as follows before the new year starts on October 1^st:

• Local figure - £15,830.17
• Luton schools - £17,036.22
• Overall total - £32,866.39

Just up on 2023/2024-year end totals:

• Local figure - £14,781.49
• Luton schools - £17,867.02
• Overall total - £32,648.51

 7.4 Standard Bearer – Pippa Brazier

No events have been attended by our standard bearer.

Uniform - Replacement cap badges, slings & ties will be ordered once John and Pippa have sat down together to identify the items required.

Wrest Park – Richard Luscombe of the historical team has asked if we have any historical information, leaflets or books relating to the RBL for an exhibition at Wrest Park.

• Branch Community Support – Lee Stone

BSC Training – No requests for assistance have been received, however a member of our community is going to be checked upon. 

7.6 Branch Facebook Page – Graeme Kelly.

Our branch Facebook page is now set up, under “Royal British Legion Toddington”

Postings and updates will be on every Tuesday and Thursday

8. Any other Business.

VJ Day 80

Discussions were started about the short service and Beacon lighting for the anniversary of VJ Day, to organise the firewood and perimeter etc for the Beacon, the service sheets, amplifier, and microphones, and organise someone to take the service, and lay a wreath.

We also discussed the flag currently flying at St Georges Church and setting up a display in the library window again.

9. Correspondence

No items of correspondence were received to discuss.

10. Future Events – Memorable Dates

• 15^th August (Friday) – 8pm VJ Day Commemoration and Beacon Lighting
• 25^th October (Saturday) – RBL Coffee Morning – Toddington Methodist Hall.
• 9^th November (Sunday) – Remembrance Sunday
• 11^th November (Tuesday) – Armistice Day
• 20^th June 2026 (Saturday) – Toddington Village Fete

Please see the attached or enclosed posters concerning these events.

11. Next Meeting

 The next meeting will be at 19:30hrs on Tuesday 16^th September 2025.

(There is no meeting in August)

If any member would like to attend a committee meeting, please contact John Wood or Kelly Grumoli and we can send you the details.

The meeting was closed at 20:10 hrs.