Poppy Shop Donate
poppy field

Hampshire

News Headlines

  

 

 

 

 

Multi Activity Courses

Held at the Battle Back Centre in Lilleshall, provides a structured environment for veterans to engage in adaptive sports and adventurous activities. 

 

Participants take part in activities such as wheelchair basketball, indoor climbing, golf, archery, and team challenges.

Recovery Through The Arts

Our Recovery through the Arts programme helps support people’s recovery journey.

 

From painting and sculpture to creative writing workshops and theatre visits, we run a range of residential and online courses throughout the year that provide opportunities to develop new skills, whilst improving confidence and motivation.

Theses courses are also open to veterans, their partners and carers.

Multi Activity Course  - Dates

                      Recovery Through The Arts  - DatesIf any veterans are interested in a Multi-Activity course, dates are available as listed above. Please ask them to call 0808 802 8080 for further information and to apply.


Further information
 
The Poppy | 30th May 2025

Thanks to the incredible support of people like you, we’re able to continue providing lifelong care to the Armed Forces community - those who have served, are serving, and their families. Your compassion and commitment make a real difference, and when we say the Royal British Legion offers lifelong support, we truly stand by that promise.

As the leading champion of Remembrance, we recently marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day, a day that commemorates the end of the Second World War in Europe. Across the UK, we honoured the extraordinary bravery of those who helped secure peace, a powerful reminder of why remembrance remains at the heart of everything we do.

I know that many of you took time to reflect, commemorate, or even support our appeal during this important moment - whether by attending events, sharing stories, or making a donation. Thank you for playing a part in keeping their legacy alive.

On Thursday 8th May, we gathered at the National Memorial Arboretum to reflect on the courage and sacrifice of those who served during this pivotal time in history. Over 40 Second World War veterans joined us for a tea party, including Britain’s oldest surviving veteran, Donald Rose, who celebrated his 110th birthday on Christmas Eve. For many veterans, this was the first time they shared their stories, making the day even more poignant.

VE Day 80
The event included a Service of Remembrance hosted by Baroness Floella Benjamin OM DBE, with performances from Russell Watson, Carly Paoli, The Voice UK winner Anthonia Edwards, and the British Army Band Tidworth.

Around 1,500 guests watched a moving film featuring veterans’ wartime memories, along with tributes from leading personalities such as Angela Rippon, Stephen Fry, Ian Hislop, Ross Kemp, Jeremy Vine, and Elaine Paige.

Flyover
The tea party at the National Memorial Arboretum was the culmination of a week-long series of celebrations that began in London, which included a military procession, a flypast, and a Tea Party at Buckingham Palace, hosted by our Patron, His Majesty The King. Veterans who attended the event at Buckingham Palace, included Alan Kennett (100), Bernard Morgan (101), Jack Mortimer (101), and Olga Hopkins (99), also joined us at the Arboretum.

These commemorations were a heartfelt reminder of the sacrifices made by the Second World War generation, and we’re deeply grateful for your continued support, which enables us to honour their legacy.

Once again, we extend our deepest gratitude to the brave men and women of the VE Day generation for their unwavering courage and immense sacrifice. The Royal British Legion remains steadfast in our commitment to support the entire Armed Forces community - past, present, and future - ensuring that the service and sacrifices are always remembered and celebrated.

Thank you again for your continued support,

 

Following the conclusion of the 2025 Membership Council elections, we have several Membership Council representative positions to fill.

 

We are opening a formal co-option process to appoint interim representatives for the following areas:       

          

  • Dorset, Hampshire and Isle of Wight
  • East Anglia and Essex
  • East Midlands
  • Greater London
  • Northern
  • South-East
  • Wiltshire and Somerset

                 

The Membership Council is a sub-committee of RBL’s Board of Trustees. Representatives play a pivotal role offering insight, strategic advice, and working closely with the Membership Directorate to help shape the future of our membership.

 

We are looking for candidates who have a strong understanding of our formations and the value they bring to the RBL, alongside the ability to influence, lead, and contribute to the ongoing development of our membership.

 

Key information:

  • Application deadline: 5pm on Wednesday 28th May 2025. (Incomplete applications, or those not meeting the specification outlined in the application pack, will be returned for amendment but must be re-submitted prior to the deadline. Please note that late submissions cannot be considered.)
  • Interview dates: Interviews will be held at Haig House, 199 Borough High Street, London SE1 1AA, on Thursday 5th and Friday 6th June 2025. (Applicants must be available to attend an interview on one of these dates.)
  • Start date: Wednesday 18th June 2025. (Appointees will be appointed to start in role on 18th June and will be asked to attend the Membership Council meeting and development days on 18th and 19th June 2025.)
  • Term of appointment: The term of the co-opted role will conclude at Annual Conference 2026.

 

Eligibility:

  • You must be a current member of the Royal British Legion.
  • You must reside within or adjacent to the area you are standing for.
  • You cannot apply if you were an unsuccessful candidate in the 2025 Membership Council elections.

 

You can find the full details of the role and application process in the information pack.

 

Please complete the following documents and submit them to the Membership Compliance & Policy team by 5pm on Wednesday 28th May 2025:

 

  • An expression of interest form (Appendix A)
  • Questions for applicants (Appendix B)
  • A typed personal statement (Appendix B)
  • A typed overview of your skills, education, and work experience, including any experience that is relevant to the role of a Membership Council Representative
  • Evidence that you are a Life Member or a Member of The Royal British Legion (e.g. copy of membership card)

 

If you have any queries or need assistance, please contact the Membership Compliance & Policy team.

Yours sincerely,

 

Philip Davies

Trustee and Membership Council Chair

Festival of Remembrance 2025 - Important Changes to the Ticketing Process

There are exciting changes to the ticketing process for the Festival of Remembrance 2025.

 

In response to a motion proposed at Annual Conference 2024, and a subsequent review of the ticketing process, we are pleased to announce that ticketing will now be conducted through a ballot. This is to enhance the ticketing process for members and to ensure fairness, accessibility and inclusivity.

 

Key changes:

 

  • Instead of tickets being bought on a first-come-first-served basis, members will have three weeks to enter a ballot for a chance to secure tickets through an online platform. This is to ensure that more members have a chance to secure tickets.
  • After the ballot closes, tickets will be allocated randomly by the online system.
  • Unique payment links will be issued to successful applicants, providing a secure and streamlined payment process.
  • Clear communication will be provided on key dates and deadlines to help members stay informed.
  • Members will be able to purchase a maximum of two tickets for either the afternoon or the evening performance.

 

You will need the following information to enter the ballot registration of interest form when it opens:

  • Your membership number - this consists of all numbers and can be found on your membership card or on your renewal letter reminder (example below). If you cannot find your membership number, please contact Membership Services at membershipservices@britishlegion.org.uk.
  • A valid email address - ensure your registered email address is up to date, as all ballot communications will be sent via email. If you do not have your own email address, you can use one that belongs to someone else who has agreed to receive emails on your behalf e.g. a family member, trusted friend or neighbour.

 

Ballot rules:

  • Each member is allowed to enter the ballot once.
  • Successful applicants will be notified by email.
  • Unique payment links will be single-use and must be completed within seven days from the date received.
  • Other Ballot Rules can be found on our website.

 

Key dates:

  • Ballot Registration Form opens: Wednesday 4th June 2025
  • Ballot Registration Form closes: Tuesday 24th June 2025
  • Ballot starts: Wednesday 9th July 2025
  • Successful members notified from: Thursday 10th July 2025
  • Payment links sent from: Thursday 10th July 2025
  • Payment deadline: seven days from the date the payment link is received
  • Tickets distributed from: Tuesday 28th October 2025

 

We encourage all members to review the updated process on the RBL website and keep an eye out for further updates, including the launch of the ballot in June 2025.

View the website

Thank you for your support of the RBL, our beneficiaries and our Armed Forces community.

 

Kind regards,

The Membership Team
We are a veteran-owned mortgage and protection brokerage based in Fareham.
 
We offer fee-free mortgages, specialist advice on protection insurances, and a free will writing service to veterans, serving forces members and their spouses. 

 

In our previous editions we said internet banking is rolling out in phases and would be coming to our area soon. We’re delighted to report that internet banking is now here!

If you’re interested in registering for internet banking, please read our registration guidance in full and complete any necessary steps. Following this, please contact your Membership Engagement Officer (MEO) to get started.

Already using internet banking? Great!

We know some branches have been using internet banking for quite a while and this is not a problem at all. We do however kindly ask that you get in touch with your MEO to register your branch so that we can ensure your account meets our new internet banking guidance. Please don’t be concerned about registering – no branches will be “told off” for not meeting the new guidance, nor will they be forced to switch to Lloyds. Thank you for your continued support.

I have questions...

If you have any questions about internet banking, please see our FAQs. If your question remains unanswered, please contact membershipservices@britishlegion.org.uk.

Getting ‘Discover’ Ready

The L&D team are working hard to get Discover ready for CTOs to start putting courses on. 

In the meantime, people can and should still register on Discover.  It is easier to iron out log-in problems at the moment rather than when there are lots of users registered.

To set-up your profile, the URL is https://learn.britishlegion.org.uk/learn
You can use your County, Branch or personal email to set-up your account. 

Once your profile is set-up, there will be no need to go back into the system until I advise that courses have been uploaded and made available.

Click on the link for a guidance sheet Creating Your Discover Account (Members)

Another great way to collect for the Poppy Appeal.

Donate Foreign Coins & Notes at Sainsbury’s Travel Money Bureaux. Sainsbury’s has a long association with The Royal British Legion and are always looking at ways to generate new funds for the charity.

You can donate your unwanted foreign coins and banknotes to The Royal British Legion at your local Sainsbury’s Travel Money Bureau. Simply take your currency along to the Bureau and pop it in the donation box – It’s that simple.

https://www.cash4coins.co.uk/sainsburys/
Branches wishing to send County Welfare Donations, please ensure that they are sent to:
Hampshire Treasurer,
12 Cedar Place,
Bransgore,
Christchurch.
BH23 8BX
If you wish to use BACS the details are:
Sort Code: 20.79.25 Account Number: 10442690
Account Name: Royal British Legion Hants County Committee

 

This is a reminder that auto-forwarding inbox rules to external email addresses is prohibited and they will be removed.
Please make sure to read the System policy and Code of Conduct for guidance. They can be found on the MAP homepage. Each account has 2gb of space and when it is near full you will not be able to send or receive any more emails.


Please make sure to keep an eye on the size of your mailbox and delete large old emails.
Your email account should not be used as document storage. Please download large attachments and upload them into your document library on your MAP  Branch site for safe keeping. If you are sending out a mass email to a large number of email addresses (e.g. your members) I would strongly suggest multiple emails rather than one to all your members.


The Microsoft automated spamming system may view that email as suspicious which can lead to your email account being blocked. If you receive a suspicious email you can choose how to deal with it by right clicking on the email and going to “Security Options”.


Some emails may look like they are sent from someone you know. This is known as Spoofing. If you are at all unsure, please do not respond or click on any links in the email, contact the Sender to verify or just delete it.

How to check your email storage usage and empty your deleted items.

From within your RBL Community email account (Outlook Online) click on the cogwheel in the top right hand corner.

  1. Click on the link at the bottom of the Settings bar called “View all Outlook Settings”.
  2. Click on the General tab and then Storage tab.
  3. You will see at the top the amount of  storage you have used in Gigabytes (You have a max of 2GBs) and as a percentage.
  4. Underneath the Folders section you will see your storage usage broken down by folders.
  5. On the right hand side is the “Empty” buttons to clear out the relevant folders including your Deleted Items.
  6. Kind regards,

Tom Shepherd

We are asking you all to take note of any instances of fundraising activities using our Poppy Logo or other TRBL branding materials.

Our name, corporate logo and poppy are all legally protected trademarks and should not be used without permission. We have a duty as representatives of The Royal British Legion to make sure they are used correctly to the benefit of the organisation. They are at the core of the Legion’s most valuable assets, and have both an emotional and commercial value that we must protect in the long-term. We can all support and strengthen the brand by understanding and respecting its value and importance, and making sure only those entitled to using it are doing so, in the correct way.

The Royal British Legion will take action against companies or individuals who are deemed to infringing its trademark by commercially benefiting from it. 

Any person(s) or organisations wishing to raise funds for The Royal British Legion or The Poppy Appeal are to be encouraged to do so in the correct way - which may in some instances mean applying to us for a commercial partnership agreement.   Using our branding to fundraise for any other purpose is an infringement of our rights. Please call the contact centre on 0800 802 8080 regarding licensed use of our property or to report any infringements.

 

Training for Standard Bearers.  

All Standard Bearers are encouraged to attend the next available course

County Parade Marshall Dave Graham can be contacted on 01425 623102

All standard bearers are urged to take the training courses whether beginners or long-serving to enhance their position as the Legion’s presence in the community.

It has been noticed that Branches are sending Standard Bearers to events e.g. Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, who are not considered fit enough for a variety of reasons, to carry out their duties and are asked to leave the event.

Branch Chairmen are to ensure that before they send their Standard Bearer to any function he or she will be capable of carrying out their duties.

If your Standard Bearer is struggling to make it up the aisle on Remembrance Sunday it is suggested you look for a replacement.

It is now incumbent on all Parade Marshalls to ensure that the Standard Bearers under their control are fit to carry out their duties. If the Parade Marshall considers any Standard Bearer appears unfit then the Standard Bearer will be asked to leave the event.

Where a Branch has a Youth Member who wishes to take part in a Standard Bearers Competition and there is no Youth Standard he will carry the Branch Standard if it is a Youth only Competition.

If it is a combined competition i.e. County or Regional and the Branch Standard Bearer and Youth Member are taking part the following applies: On the inspection phase of the competition all competitors enter to be judged. The Branch Standard Bearer carries the Branch Standard - whatever mark he obtains for the care and presentation of the Standard is applied as the Youths marks for the same. For all other marks they are individually marked.

The Branch Standard Bearer and the Youth Standard Bearer share the use of the Branch Standard for all other Standard drills.