The first months of the year have been quiet, with no major Events. However, in January we attended the Holocaust Service at Oldway Memorial Gardens, and the funeral of David Flatman, and in February, Jack Jennings.

From an administration point of view, I can report that we now have a permit for the Remembrance Service for HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse.   The application for the D-Day Embarkation Service has been acknowledged. Our pitch at the Torbay Airshow has been confirmed, also the Babbacombe Fayre. Armed Forces Day has not yet opened for applications.

Invitations have been sent to all our known contacts and colleagues for the D-Day Embarkation Service. The Torbay Civic Office has confirmed that the Mayor will attend, and County Hall has also confirmed that the Deputy Lord Lieutenant will be attending.

Joanne Sharlott and Alan Martin-Brown attended a Poppy Appeal event at Lympstone on 15^th January. Rory Jackson is now PAO (Pro-tem) until Joanne Sharlott is signed and confirmed. RJ will then step back to deal with wreaths and banking. Although Mike Bell is not taking part in the 2024 PA Campaign, he has agreed to be on hand to advise and print all the collecting pot labels.  RJ has donated a lap-top and printer to the branch and this has been loaded, by Mike Bell, with all of the relevant files for the PA.