The Royal British Legion – Tollesbury Branch

Minutes from the Branch meeting held in the Legion Meeting Room on Wednesday 4th March 2020.

1. The Exhortation and Silent Tribute was led by J Clarkson.
2. Present: M Cousens (Chair), K McDonald (Secretary), A Potts (Treasurer), J Clarkson (Standard Bearer),        D Cousens, J M Clarkson, R Loman, A Kersey, C Cousens and D Marsh.
3. Apologies for absence: None
4. Admittance of new members: Four. V Martin, W Du-Val, L Ponder and H Clover.
5. Minutes of the previous meeting: Approved and filed by the Secretary.
6. Matters arising: None
7. Secretary’s report and correspondence: Report included MSO’s weekly updates and E-Newsletters. The Branch web page is now up and running with photos, minutes of meetings with national and branch news to be added. Not perfect yet but hopefully will improve as time goes by. If any Committee Member would like an ‘article’ shown, then please give it to the Secretary as a word document. The web site can be viewed at www.branches.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/tollesbury. Voting form showing 10 candidates for 4 RBL Trustees positions together with their statements, given to the Chairman. Any member wishing to receive the round-up reports by e-mail please contact M Cousens with your  e-mail address. A copy of all the Minutes and correspondence are held in the Clubhouse for any member wishing to view them.
8. Treasurer’s report: Bank balance sufficient funds to meet Branch commitments. Deposit paid for the Colchester Pipe & Drums Band on Remembrance Sunday.
9. Welfare report: 4 visits made.
10. There are 268 members including 30 outstanding memberships. For those members who want to continue to pay by cash, using the barcode on your renewal letter which when taken to a local shop that has PayPoint facilities can scanned when your renewal fee is taken by the shop staff. Please retain your receipt until your new membership card arrives. The club bar staff will also accept your cash & cheque payments – please if you have it include your renewal letter as this has your membership number which will assist the membership secretary to process your payment. Please leave your cash or cheque in a sealed envelope with a member of the bar staff.
11. VE Day 75: There will be a short service and reading at the Tollesbury War Memorial St. Mary’s Church commencing at 10.30am on Friday 8^th May. The Legion bikers together with their Poppy Shop have been invited for the ‘family’ afternoon 1pm – 5pm at the Legion Clubhouse where there will be a BBQ, children’s entertainer and other events. Everyone is invited and full details will be published on the Branch webpage and on the club’s Facebook page‘.
12. Date of the next General Committee meeting: Wednesday 1^st April 2020 commencing 7.15pm

The meeting closed at 8.14pm.

N.B. Applicants for membership will be welcomed to the Branch on Wednesday 1^st April 2020.

Welfare Notice: Tollesbury RBL Branch Committee reminds people that there are a range of services & provisions available to ex-service personnel and their dependants. If you feel that the RBL can assist, please contact Mr M Cousens (Chairman) on Tel: 01621 868124.