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Central News 

 

A reminder to all branches, if you have a branch member who will be celebrating their hundredth birthday our County Patron would be delighted to send a congratulatory message.

If you know of anyone in your branch reaching this milestone please send contact information to [email protected] and we will arrange the rest

Thank you

A number of Branch Officers and Committee members have raised the point that they are unable to attend all day training at weekends.  To meet their training needs, the Branch Management Course is now being offered as an evening course, being completed online in 2 x 2 hours sessions.  In order to complete the training, you must have completed the 'Introduction to Branch Management e-learning' and then attend both sessions.  These courses are open to members irrespective of their home area and places do get snapped up.  

Note we will still offer face to face options as some people prefer that method of learning.  I will ensure that you are informed when we are running courses in the County.  However, you can always check Discover for options in nearby counties.  You will also be able to choose other dates for online delivery if the above dates do not suit.

The treasurer's course has recently been revised and updated.  For those who completed the previous course, your certificate remains valid.  However, we recommend that you update your knowledge by completing the new course.  Anyone who enrolled on the old course but has not started or completed it, will automatically be directed to the new version the next time they log-in.

I have been asked about other courses that may be offered as an online/webinar rather than a full day face to face course (eg Secretaries Course).  We are working with Learning & Development to do just that.  Following the recent Conference motion to mandate training, we will continue to seek the best way to facilitate your learning.  

If you or any of your members have any difficulty accessing the training platform or the courses, you can always contact myself or your MEO for assistance.

Kind Regards

John

Contact Chris Hayward (North) [email protected] or

Claire Smith (South) [email protected] if you can help

 

 

 

Admiral Nurses

We work in partnership with Dementia UK to provide Admiral Nurses – a specialist service helping the Armed Forces community and their families living with dementia.

We know that when you’re caring for someone with dementia it can be hard to find the time to look after yourself. Our Admiral Nurses are there to support you, and those you’re caring for, to get the help you need.

We offer telephone support, and home visits can also be arranged if required.

https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-support/how-we-help/admiral-nurses

RBL has been busy working to ensure the Armed Forces Covenant is strengthened in the Armed Forces Bill, which has now been introduced in Parliament.

The Armed Forces Covenant is a national promise that those who serve, have served, and their families should not face disadvantage because of their service.

For over a decade, we’ve been calling for a stronger Covenant Duty

Those who have served in the Armed Forces often face unique challenges - for example, moving frequently during service can make it hard for families to receive consistent support from public services or for spouses and partners to build careers. This isn’t good enough.

As part of the Armed Forces Bill 2026, the Government will fulfil its manifesto pledge and legislate to extend the Armed Forces Covenant Duty to all UK Government departments and Devolved Governments, as well as a wide range of policies.

Now, we are calling on the Government to go further. We launched our Keep the Covenant Promise campaign report and an accompanying open letter to the Prime Minister at the end of September last year. Last month, RBL staff joined members of the Armed Forces community who have faced disadvantage to deliver the open letter to 10 Downing Street.

How you can help: You can sign up to our Campaigner Community to be kept up to date with this campaign as the Bill progresses through Parliament. We'll let you know how you can support our call on the Government to Keep the Covenant Promise.

Our call for a stronger Armed Forces Covenant continues. The Armed Forces Bill has now had its Second Reading in Parliament and the MPs who will sit on the Bill's Select Committee have been announced. This group of MPs will scrutinise the legislation in detail over the next few months.

Ahead of the Bill's next stage, we have been briefing MPs across Parliament to explain:

• How inconsistent delivery disadvantages members of the Armed Forces community
• The improvements that are needed to ensure the Covenant Duty delivers meaningful change

We're asking the Government to ensure that this Armed Forces Bill introduces a stronger Covenant Duty that is:

Delivered consistently: There must be clear guidance that sets consistent national standards of Covenant Duty delivery across the country

Backed by enough funding to support delivery: A dedicated programme with accessible tools and resources to ensure staff in organisations covered by the Duty fully understand its purpose

Properly measured so its impact is clear: This is crucial to achieve continued improvement of services and meet the changing needs of the Armed Forces community

 

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 Marshals 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.