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KENT COUNTY NEWS
TRBL South East Area Office (Kent)
Royal British Legion Village
Aylesford, Kent ME20 7NL
Membership Support Officer
Mobile - 07554 553263
e-mail - [email protected]
Registered Charity 219279
Welfare & Fundraising
via Contact Centre - 0808 802 8080
General e-mail: [email protected]
County website: www.britishlegion.org.uk/counties/kent
March 2015
BRANCH SECRETARIES: PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ITEMS IN THIS MONTHLY CIRCULAR
SHOULD FORM PART OF THE REPORT TO YOUR BRANCH COMMITTEE
COUNTY CHAIRMAN`S REMARKS
This year we have set up a Ceremonial Committee consisting of three members of the County
Committee the two County Parade Marshals and the RBL and Women’s Section County Standard
Bearers. This committee, under its Co-ordinator Ann Austen, will be responsible for co-ordinating all
Ceremonial events and also training for Standard Bearers. Requests for the County Colour Party are
to be submitted to the MSO but will be dealt with by this committee. They will also be producing a
communication network for the branch Standard Bearers and will send them the details of events in
order that the Standard Bearers can obtain permission from their Branch Chairman to attend.
The County Standard Bearer Geoff Lees put in a good performance at the Regional Competition.
However, there was strong competition and although he wasn’t in the first two, he nevertheless did
Kent very proud.
This year we are planning to put on more training days for Standard Bearers the first of these is on
Sunday 26th April and I would ask all branches to encourage your Standard Bearer, and/or those
members who would be interested in carrying your Standard but want training before doing so, to
attend.
The County Parade this year is currently under discussion for being held on Sunday 5th July at the
newly refurbished Garden of Honour at the Royal British Legion Village, Aylesford. Final
confirmation and details will be sent out in next month’s County News.
This month as your Chairman I have a number of events to attend beginning with the County
Chairmen’s visit to Haig House on 10th March where a full programme of talks will be given by the
National Chairman and the Directorate. Later in the month there is a meeting of the SE Area
Chairmen, to which various staff are invited, to detail specific items concerning the SE Area
Counties. I am also off to Birmingham for a day return to attend a Nationwide Merchandising
Meeting discussing items for issue at Poppy Appeal and other fund raising events during the year.
I hope to be able to give a report on all these meetings at the Officers and Committee Seminar
which is being run by our new County Training Officer Richard Graham on Saturday 28th March at
the Capel Morris Centre.
Looking at my diary can I remind you to start preparing for your branch and individual visits to this
year’s Thanet Festival of Remembrance at the Winter Gardens Margate on Friday 23rd October.
Tickets will as usual be available through Aussie Walker. This is an important event for us in Kent in
this Year of Anniversaries of WW2 - the Dunkirk Evacuation (75th), VE Day (70th) and VJ Day (70th).
A final note - if you are involved with or putting on any events for these anniversaries please let
County know through the MSO.
Richard Cast
County Chairman
DONATIONS TO COUNTY FUNDS
The following donations have been gratefully received:
£300
Canterbury Branch
IN MEMORIAM
Donations have been gratefully received in memory of:
£78.50
Mr Robert Jennings
BRANCH MS1 RETURNS
Out of the 68 branches required to submit their MS1 Branch Information Form by 31 st December, as
at todays date (27th February) there are still three branches that have failed to submit their forms:
Southborough & High Brooms
St Margarets at Cliffe
Tonbridge
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
Please ensure this information is passed to the Branch Membership Secretary
Head Office is still on track to implement the first phase of the Comradeship Services Project in May
and this will require a number of changes to normal practice outlined below.
MS4 and On-Line Joining
Membership will cease to accept MS4 membership application forms from Monday 30th March
2015. On-Line Joining for county and national branches will also cease from this date. Systems will
go live again on 18th May, including On-Line Joining for all branches. There will undoubtedly be
delays during April and early May as no applications will be processed during this period. This
should not stop recruitment at branch level as Membership are preparing a new form which can be
retained by the branches until they start processing the applications again. MS4 applications must
be sent to me to arrive by Wednesday 25th March to ensure they get to Head Office by the 30th
March deadline.
Collection of Affiliation Fees
To simplify the transfer of data into the new system and to not ask the branches for two payments,
Membership will produce just one final invoice for each branch meaning there will be no
membership fee collection in March as is usual. As no DD or cash paying members will be added to
the system after 30th March (see above) branches will be issued with a final invoice as at that date.
Letters will be sent to treasurers in the first week of April and DD collection will be scheduled in the
first week of May. Cash paying branches should pay as soon as they can after receiving their letters
but all outstanding balances must be settled by no later than 31st May.
This later collection will reduce the branch debt to zero and from then the responsibility for
membership fee payments will rest with the member, not the branch. The National Conference
Committee has decided that due to this delay the payment of the Affiliation Fees will not be taken
into account when issuing the delegates' credentials.
Data Protection
The Legion has a new Data Protection Policy (SOP 95) which is available from County Office. It is
important to note that when branches are sent membership listings, the lists contain personal
information and that Branch Officers are responsible for its security and confidentiality in
accordance with Data Protection Act 1998. Access to this information should be limited.
COUNTY TRAINING COURSES
There is to be a Seminar for Branch Officers - principally Chairmen, Treasurers, Secretaries and
Membership Secretaries - at the Capel Morris Centre in the RBL Village on Saturday 28th March.
Those interested in attending should contact me by 13th March. Further seminars are being
planned for venues in East and West Kent and details will be published once confirmed.
My telephone number is 01303 814007 and my e-mail is [email protected].
Richard Graham
County Training Officer
ISLE OF THANET FESTIVAL OF REMEMBRANCE
This year’s Festival on Friday 23rd October will be going ahead although arrangements are a bit
behind due to my health problems. I will endeavour to get the application for seat forms out in
April with all the details. Sorry for the delay. I have a band allocated although under a new system
Army bands cannot now confirm their attendance until July. I’m hoping for a good turn out again.
Aussie Walker
Festival Director
WELFARE GRANTS EXPENDITURE
The statistics show the percentage expenditure of all RBL monies committed as welfare grants in the
SE Area and separate counties compared to the national expenditure for the financial year 2013-14.
By looking at percentages rather than £’s we have been able to identify areas of interest, anomalies
and concerns that will shape our welfare services in the on-coming year across the South East Area.
A comparison of the counties clearly demonstrates the different needs and concerns of beneficiaries
in the area.
Kent
% Welfare
Expenditure
(41.2%)
Surrey
% Welfare
Expenditure
(12.5%)
Sussex
% Welfare
Expenditure
(46.3%)
Overall SE Area
% Welfare
Expenditure
(4.8%)
Overall
National RBL
Welfare
Expenditure
55
70
60
60
53
Royal Navy
7.5%
6.4%
14.3%
10.5%
13.7%
Army
90.3%
75.1%
70.4%
79.2%
75.7%
Royal Air Force
1.8%
16.5%
15.3%
9.9%
9.9%
Unspecified
0.3%
2.0%
0%
0.4%
0.7%
Grant Category
Crisis
2.8%
3.5%
3.2%
3.8%
4.5%
Debt & Bankruptcy
11.1%
1.0%
12.9%
9.6%
10.1%
Funerals
0.7%
2.8%
3.1%
2.2%
4.5%
Housing
37.1%
14.5%
24.6%
31.0%
20.2%
Household Grants
10.9%
18.7%
8.0%
9.8%
21.0%
Mobility
29.3%
55.6%
41.1%
29.4%
32.0%
Other
8.1%
3.9%
7.1%
14.2%
7.7%
Average Age
WELFARE REFERRALS
This is a reminder that all those requesting welfare assistance need to be referred to the Legion’s
Contact Centre on 0808 802 8080 (calls are free from UK landlines and main mobile networks) or via
e-mail at [email protected]. Area and County Offices can no longer accept direct referrals
and cannot respond to requests unless and until the Contact Centre has been informed first.
Cases are passed to the Area Office who assign the appropriate Case Officer or Caseworker. Contact
is made with the caller within two working days or earlier if the call is deemed a ‘crisis’.
Referrals can be made by the individual or by another on their behalf such as Branch members and
Welfare Representatives.
BATTLEFIELD TOUR - ARNHEM
The Faversham Branch is organising a 5 days (4 nights) battlefield tour to Arnhem over the period
20th to 24th July. The cost is £380 per person which includes half-board (dinner + bed & breakfast)
at a good hotel in Arnhem plus coach and ferry. There is a single room supplement of £60. The
itinerary will include visits to:

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






The landing and dropping zones of 1st Airborne Division
The Arnhem (John Frost) Bridge
The Airborne Cemetery at Oosterbeek
Hartenstein Museum
The Old Church
Reichswald Forest War Cemetery (Germany)
Overloon War and Resistance Museum
Venray War Cemetery
Other interesting places
If you are interested in joining this tour please get in touch with the Faversham Branch by calling
Alma Huntley on 01795 534969.
ROYAL BRITISH LEGION INDUSTRIES QUIZ NIGHT
RBLI are to hold a Quiz Night on behalf of the Garden of Honour in the RBL Village. It takes place in
the Capel Morris Centre on Friday 13th March commencing at 7pm. Cost is just £5 per head and
teams should be no more than six members. Bring your own food and drink. To book a table please
phone 07770 865271 or e-mail [email protected]
VE DAY CELEBRATION DANCE
There is to be an evening of music and dancing to celebrate the 70th anniversary of VE Day at the
River Centre, Medway Wharf Road, Tonbridge TN9 1RE on Friday 8th May. Doors open at 7.30 pm
and tickets cost £20 for adults (or £18 if booked before 8th March) and £13 for under 14s. Music
will be provided by the Clefhangers Big Band and Singers. The proceeds will go to the Royal British
Legion and Emilia’s Little Heart Foundation. For tickets and further information phone 01580
893313 or e-mail [email protected].
NEW ALLINGTON PLAYERS
Following their success last year the New Allington Players present ‘Bunkered’, a two act comedy set
in an obsolete Naval Intelligence Bunker run by a bunch of equally obsolete Navy Personnel all
coming up to retirement age. The performances can be see on Friday 13th March at 7.30 pm and
Saturday 13th March at 3 pm in St Nicholas Church Hall, Poplar Grove, Maidstone ME16 0DE.
Tickets cost just £8 and includes light refreshments. Part of the proceeds will go to the Royal British
Legion. For tickets and further information phone 01622 764063 or 01622 750073.
NEW WORLD WAR ONE GUIDE
Hugo Fenwick has sponsored a new guide to the First World War to mark his term as High Sheriff of
Kent 2014. The Lost Generation: the Young Person’s Guide to WW1 has been produced by awardwinning author Martyn Barr.
The book recounts the story of the Great War, from its
origins in a far-flung corner of Europe to its bloody and
bitter conclusion. It features 62 pages, including a foldout cover, and over 70 photographs/illustrations. The
softback book provides an overview of the First World
War as it progressed, with a series of topical features that
help flesh out the story. Fifty pence from the sale of each
book will be donated to The Royal British Legion’s Poppy
Appeal.
Hugo Fenwick says: “I was pleased to lend my support to
this project to ensure that the current generation
recognises the huge sacrifices made by their forebears
100 years ago to secure their freedom. The government
has pledged to fund an educational programme to create
an enduring legacy and I think this book supports that
admirably. Martyn presents a brutally honest account of
the First World War, and has pitched it perfectly for a
teenage audience. He has managed to achieve this
without dumbing down the material in any way, so I’m
sure adults will enjoy reading it too.”
Hugo Fenwick’s views are echoed by First World War expert Dr Will Butler, from the University of
Kent. Dr Butler says: “This book is a valuable guide for a youth audience, or anyone approaching
this subject for the first time. It is richly illustrated, covers a significant amount of detail, and avoids
those well trodden myths of the First World War, to provide a concise history on the topic.”
The Lost Generation can be purchased online at www.lostgenerationbook.co.uk, priced £5.99.
ROYAL ENGINEERS MUSEUM - 2015 LECTURES
There is a programme of talks being given by some excellent and high quality speakers this year at
the Royal Engineers Museum, Prince Arthur Road, Gillingham ME4 4UG. www.re-museum.co.uk
All of the following commence at 1900hrs in the Field Marshal Room. Cost is £5 per person which
includes refreshments and access to the VC and Medal gallery only. Places must be booked by
calling 01634 822312.
26 Mar:
30 Apr
28 May
25 Jun
30 Jul
27 Aug
24 Sep
29 Oct
26 Nov
Russell Bowes: ‘Dig for Victory’
Prof Emma Hanna: ‘It’s not all work in the Army: Recreation in the Royal Engineers,
1914-1918’
Robert Fleming: ‘Zeppelins and Germans Strategic Bombing’
Prof Michael Clarke: ‘Waterloo - The People Who Made the Strategy Work’
Geoff Spring: ‘The BEF’s use of Gas on the Western Front’
Steve Hopkins: ‘Woolwich Women at War’
Prof Ulf Schmidt: ‘Justifying Chemical Warfare - The Origins and Ethics of Britain’s
Chemical Warfare’
Dr Stefan Goebel: ‘Intimate Pictures: British and German war photography’
Prof Mark Connelly: ‘Notes and swearies: obscene language in soldier’s speech and
songs’
All of the following take place from 1300 to 1400hrs in the Field Marshal Room. FREE with normal
admission which gives access to the entire Museum. Places must be booked by calling 01634
822312.
12 Mar
18 Jun
10 Sep
15 Oct
Maj Gordon Corrigan: ‘The Indian Army on the Western Front’
James Scott: ‘Waterloo and the Royal Engineers’
Martin Stoneham: ‘The Story of the Albert Medal now superseded by the George
Cross’
Amy Adams: ‘Sir Edmund Frederick Du Cane RE: Huguenots, Engineers and
Wormwood Scrubs Prison’
Regards to you all
Tony West
Membership Support Officer
Email: [email protected]
LEST WE FORGET
Notification has been received that the following members have passed on:
Mrs Jasmin Guest
Birchington
Mr John Appleby
Cheriton & Morehall
Mr John Playford
Dymchurch & District
Mr Clifford Dunford
Gillingham
Mr Adrian Hornby
Greenhithe & Swanscombe
Mr Ivo Willard
“
Mrs Myfanwy Worts
Hythe & Saltwood
Mr Ralph Gutteridge
Kent Branch
Mr Malcolm Thurgood
Leeds, Hollingbourne & District
Mr James Newman
Orpington - Club President
Mrs Iris Veness
Royal Tunbridge Wells
Mr Jozef Kupinski
Sheerness
Mr Kenneth Langley
Tenterden
Mr Frederick Edwards
Woodchurch
Mr Anthony Mobbs
“
Our deepest sympathies go to their families and friends
KENT COUNTY DIARY OF EVENTS - 2015
MARCH
Sat
28th
Branch Officers Workshop - location tbc
APRIL
Sun
Wed
Sat
5th - 6th
15th - 16th
25th
Medway Steam & Transport Rally - Chatham Historic Dockyard *
WS Annual Conference - Bournemouth
100th Anniversary of Gallipoli Campaign - the Cenotaph
MAY
Fri
Sat
Sun
Sat
Wed
8th - 10th
9th
10th
16th - 17th
24th - 26th
VE Day Celebrations (see below)
WS Rally - Seasalter
Poppy Walk - Whitstable Castle (10 am)
Annual Conference - Southport
75th Anniversary of Dunkirk Evacuation (Op Dynamo) - Ramsgate *
JUNE
Sat
Sat
Sat
13th - 14th
20th - 21st
27th
Folkestone & Ashford Military Show - Sellindge Show Ground *
Hellfire Corner Weekend - Pencester Gardens, Dover *
Armed Forces Day *
JULY
Sat
Sat
Sun
Wed
11th
11th - 12th
5th (tbc)
22nd - 26th
Leeds Castle Open Air Concert *
Thanet at War - Ramsgate
County Parade
War & Peace Revival - Folkestone Racecourse, Westenhanger *
AUGUST
Sat
Sat
Sat
15th
15th - 16th
29th - 31st
VJ Day Celebrations
Headcorn Combined Ops Military Vehicle & Air Show *
Military Odyssey - County Showground, Detling *
SEPTEMBER
Sat
19th - 20th
Salute to the ‘40s - Chatham Historic Dockyard *
OCTOBER
Sun
Wed
Fri
Sat
Sun
11th (tbc)
21st
23rd
24th
25th
County Standard Bearer Competition - Ditton
Poppy Launch - County Hall, Maidstone
Thanet Festival of Remembrance - Winter Gardens, Margate
County Poppy Lunch - Brompton Barracks
Public Poppy Launch - Bluewater
NOVEMBER
Sat
Sat
7th
8th
Festival of Remembrance - Royal Albert Hall
Remembrance Sunday
DECEMBER
Sat
12th
Carol Service - Capel Morris Centre (3pm)
JANUARY 2016
Sun
16th
County Conference - Headcorn Village Hall (12 noon)
* County Recruiting Stall
Updated: 17th February 2015
VE DAY CELEBRATIONS
MAY
Fri
8th
Service to mark the 70th Anniversary of VE Day - Buttermarket, Canterbury
at 11 am
Fri
8th
40's/50's themed charity night with live band, disco, buffet and raffle in aid
of TRBL - Kennington Carvery, Ashford
Fri
8th
40's themed charity night with the Clefhanger Big Band with music and
dancing in aid of TRBL – The River Centre, Tonbridge at 7.30 pm
The Birchington Branch
Royal British Legion
Indoor Boot Fair
th
Saturday 14 March 2015
Church House, Kent Gardens
Birchington
9:00 am - 12:00 noon
Entry by donation
Everybody welcome
Light refreshments available
RBL Raffle, Bric-a-brac
Various other stalls
Registered Charity No. 219279