Minutes of the Toddington Branch of The Royal British Legion

Committee Meeting 19:30hrs

Tuesday 18^th March 2025

1.Present

 Lee Stone, Lynda Bryant, Pippa Brazier, Debbie Gibbons, Graeme Kelly, Bil Levinson, Kelly Grumoli, Glen Gadsden, John Wood

2. Apologies

Nigel Washington, Linda Washington

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 September 2024

The minutes were read and agreed to be a true report of the last full committee meeting. 

Proposed – Debbie Gibbons

Seconded – Bil Levinson

6. Chairmans Report

There was no Chairman’s report due to our chairman currently being of poor health.  However, we were very lucky to have him attend in person but as a committee member where he could watch and rest.  He will be back in his role as soon as he is feeling up to it.

7. Correspondence

All items of correspondence are now sent out via email to the committee members prior to the meeting taking place, so that they can be read beforehand and discussed as necessary during the meeting. If any member would like a copy of any correspondence item, please contact John Wood or Kelly Grumoli (details at the top of these minutes) and we will get copies to you.

8. Reports

8.1 Treasurer – Debbie Gibbons

8.2 Poppy Appeal Update – Melanie Parker

No update.  However the figures as of our last meeting (AGM) in November 2024 is as follows:-

The 2023 – 2024 Toddington Poppy Appeal ended 31^st September 2024 and raised £14,781.49

8.3 Membership Secretaries Report – Bil Levinson

From the membership list on 17^th March 2025, we have 56 members.

Web Site Report

The web site is up to date, including February Minutes.

8.4 Standard Bearer – Pippa Brazier

• 25^th February 2025 – Funeral (Dale of the Royal Navy) at Flitwick Crematorium
• 02^nd March 2025 – Mayor of Dunstable’s Civic Service (R.A.F.A)

• Support Officer

BSC Training – No requests for assistance have been.  Annual refresher training has been completed.

9. Future Events – Memorable Dates

• 8th May (Thursday) – VE Day Commemoration and Beacon Lighting.
• 9:00am - Raising of the VE flag at St George’s Church of England Tower –Day flag has been purchased
• 9:00pm – 9:30pm - Short Prayer Service and the lighting of the beacon on our Village Green
• We will have a display in Toddington Library Window from 3rd-10th May – Graeme and Lynda to organise
• 10^th May (Saturday) – VE Day Commemoration Celebration Evening
  • 6:30pm-9:00pm – Live Music, Food, RBL Raffle, Poppy Appeal Merchandise Stall and Beacon Lighting – We discussed the finer details. Look out for our Poster and we hope to see you all there.
• 21^st June (Saturday) – Toddington Village Fete
• 13^th July (Sunday) – Wingfield Car Show
• 15^th August (Friday) – 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

10. Any other Business.

Gazebo – Lee will be sourcing a quote from the previous company for the new gazebo.

• Medical Cover cost for Remembrance Sunday and other RBL run events has been confirmed as St John’s Ambulance.
• RBL Assets on the Village Green – Graeme raised a few maintenance concerns with the RBL bench and Soldiers – We are looking into options to fix them
• Obstacle Course – We discussed if the obstacle course is going to be used in the future and if not can it be donated to Wrest park.

11. Next Meeting

 The next meeting will be at 19:30hrs on Tuesday 15^th April 2025

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 21:22 hrs.