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ESSEX

WINS TOP

ROYAL

BRITISH

LEGIOL

AWARD

‘Coming together is a beginning.

Keeping together is progress.

Working together is success.’(Henry Ford)

COUNTY NOTICES

THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGIONESSEX COUNTYNEWSLETTER

NOVEMBERDECEMBER

2016

As this year draws to an end, the members of Essex County Royal British Legion can look back with a sense of pride.We started the year as the winners of the National Maurice Cup, having established ourselves as the most efficientCounty in the UK.

Our strength now stands at 10,806 members. Despite managing to increase the number of new members over last year,sadly the overall strength has decreased with the natural gradual loss of the more senior members. Our County YouthLiaison Officer, Gordon Roach, has done sterling work pursuing an active affiliation policy with Schools and ServiceYouth organisations (Sea Cadets, Army Cadets and Air Cadets) and we now have a total of 47 Youth organisationsformally affiliated to various Branches across the County. This is tremendous accomplishment and as a result Gordonwas awarded the prestigious Sir George Creasey Badge to mark his outstanding contribution. Branches need to lookcarefully at the retention of their membership to help slow any further decreases.

On the Welfare side, we must embrace the new national Branch Community Support Initiative and I hope to see moreBranches joining next year. The County Welfare Fund continues to attract significant donations from Branches whichthis year totalled £20,319.12. This allowed Essex County to continue contributing a staggering 30% in almonisation tohelp defray the total money expended in welfare grants to Essex RBL beneficiaries. Particular mention must be madeof the presentation of a “Point of Light” Award to Harry Hudson at Chelmsford by the Prime Minister for his impressivework as a volunteer. Continuing on the subject of fundraising The Essex County Poppy Appeal once again exceededthe £million mark and last year’s total by 8.7% to reach a record total of £1,291,227.33, mainly due to the efforts andhard work of Branch PAOs and their teams of collectors.

It has been a busy year for the Royal British Legion. Apart from the normal annual Armistice Parades andRemembrance Church Services in November this year, the centenary of the end of the Gallipoli campaign in January,the Battle of Jutland in June and particularly the Battle of The Somme between July-November 1916 have rather taken apredominant place in our thoughts. Most Branches marked the centenary of the Somme in one way or other. On behalfof the County Committee I would like to thank you all for your efforts on behalf of the Legion this year and to wish youand your families a Peaceful and Happy Christmas.

RIS BurgessChairman

A CHRISTMAS MESSAGEFROM THE COUNTY

CHAIRMAN

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MS1 FORMSAll Branch Secretaries should have seen thisdocument. Please note that this is a change

from the old MS1 forms previously used.

The major changes include:

A Welfare Representative must be appointed

Branch Officers may only fill one elected post

A new form has been included – MS1B Form – tosatisfy the requirements of our insurers. This hasto be signed by all Standard Bearers.

Section Six has been removed and thisinformation is now under Section Three

A reminder of the financial implications of beingan elected Branch Officer

A reminder that the Poppy Appeal Organiser isappointed by Aylesford and not by the Branch

A reminder in Section Seven for the BranchSecretary to ensure that all parts of the MS1 Formand Receipts and Payments Form arecompleted. Completing these forms correctly andreturning them on time ensures that the Branch iscompliant in every way, not just for the purpose ofattending Annual Conference.

Please note that only the 2016 version of theMS1 will be accepted

BRANCH COMMUNITY SUPPORT

(FORMERLY BRANCH VISITOR

VOLUNTEERS)

Following the Branch Welfare pilot last year,and subsequent feedback from theMembership Support Officer Conference,Membership Council and the County andDistrict Chairmen, we have now officiallyrenamed the initiative as ‘Branch CommunitySupport’.

Branch Community Support will give you, ourMembers, the opportunity to provide

information, companionship and support viathe five activities you told us you and yourfellow members could, or do already, providefor the beneficiaries that are within your localcommunity; home and hospital visiting,support for the bereaved including Standardbearing at funerals, telephone buddy services,community awareness raising events andsetting up local outreach centres.

The volunteering roles for BCS are very muchfocussed around comradeship, and as such donot require the same level of processing requiredwhen volunteering as a Caseworker or Informationvolunteer. As a result, branches will be required toundertake local checks in accordance withguidance provided but no DBS check is required.This approach builds on the foundations alreadycreated by the hard work of our branches andreinforces the delivery of a range of activities tomeet the current and predicted needs of theArmed Forces Community. Branch CommunitySupport falls under the following key activities:

• Legion Awareness Events

• Telephone Buddies

• Home & Hospital Visitor

• Bereavement Support

• Local Touchpoints

A page within Office 365 is now active, enablingbranches to officially sign up to one or more of the5 activities listed. The branch will need to log in toOffice 365 (utilising their current log in details) andfill out the BCS registration form to sign up toundertake BCS.

PLEASE SEE PAGE 5 FORINFORMATION CONCERNING THECOUNTY CONFERENCE 2017

COUNTY OFFICE NEWS

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CHELMSFORD POPPYAPPEAL LAUNCH

Pictured at the Chelmsford Poppy Appeal Launch onSaturday 29 October 2016

GREAT WAKERINGBRANCH

The Branch recently held a "Sponsored ShavingEvent" at the Great Wakering Club. Five brave chapstook part and had various parts of their headsshaved in aid of the Poppy Appeal. Over £500 wasraised for the appeal.

BRANCH AND GROUP NEWS & EVENTS

‘THE VICTIMS’

Pictured (l to R) Cllr Bob Villa, County President:Standard Bearer Peter Hart: Cllr Linda Denston,Deputy Mayor; David Swann, Membership CouncilMember; Harry Hudson, Chelmsford BranchChairman and Poppy Appeal Organiser.

RE-ENACTMENT AMBULANCE CREW WHO GAVE THEIRSUPPORT AND ATTENDED THE LAUNCH

ROD ANDY

ALANMARTIN

MARK

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DEBDEN RBL REMEMBRANCE WEEK

11th - 13th NOVEMBER 2016

Armistice Day fell on Friday 11th November this year anda Remembrance Service was held at the Memorial onthe wall of Debden Village Hall attended by Members ofthe RBL Branch and parishioners. As at every annualservice the children from Debden Primary Schoolparticipated, planting crosses and reading out the namesof those who had fallen during both World Wars.

On the morning of Sunday 13th November, a furtherRemembrance Service was held in Debden ParishChurch. Wreathes were laid by the Parish Council, theRoyal British Legion, The Royal Engineer Regiments (33and 101 EOD Regiments) based at nearby CarverBarracks, and the local Army Cadet and Air TrainingCorps units.

The bugle calls at both ceremonies were played byThomas Peirson McGeorge. On Sunday afternoon theparishioners of Debden were entertained by the ATCBand from Woolwich as they marched through thevillage to the Memorial Hall where they were served teaand cakes before returning to London by coach.

TWO MORE AWARDS FOR DEBDEN BRANCH

During the Royal British Legion Remembrance SundayService at Debden Parish Church last week the BranchChairman, Michael Barton, presented young Thomas Peirson-McGeorge with a well-deserved Branch Certificate ofAppreciation.

Thomas, a pupil at Joyce Frankland Academy, Newport, hasbeen blowing the bugle calls at annual Armistice Day andRemembrance Church Services for Debden Branch ( “LastPost” and “Reveille”) for the last 5 years but is about to go toUniversity and will be unable to continue doing so after thisyear.

Earlier, at a packed Branch Annual Dinner at Carver BarracksOfficers Mess on the Friday night, another Certificate ofAppreciation had been presented to the ex-Branch Chairman,Colonel (Retd) Roger Burgess OBE to mark his contribution ingrowth, success and recognition of the Branch. This is thefourth occasion that the Dinner has been held in CarverBarracks. The Dinner was attended by 58 members and theirguests.

BRANCH AND GROUP NEWS & EVENTS

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LEIGH ON SEA BRANCH

The Branch was recently approached by one of ourlocal schools, Belfairs Academy, to speak at 4separate assemblies this last week as part of theAcademy’s wish to engage with the Remembranceprocess. At quite short notice we managed toarrange a short presentation including a short filmfrom TRBL – and the attached photograph showssome of the team involved with the Academy’shead, Greg Rodulfo and Lance Sgt. Gavin Hall fromthe Grenadier Guards Regiment who played TheLast Post as part of the presentation.

We have already had our Annual Poppy Concert, aCake Sale & Coffee Morning – and have 2 QuizNights coming up as well as our RemembranceService at St Clement’s Church.

COUNTY CONFERENCE2017

Will be held on Saturday 14th January 2017 atthe Marconi Social Club, Beehive Lane,Chelmsford.

Branches wishing to attend the Essex CountyConference must complete and return a BranchDelegate Nomination form by the 16thDecember. Two Delegates may only be sent toconference if Branch membership is 301 or more.Please remember that you are only eligible to senda delegate if your 15/16 Branch R &P Accountswere submitted by the 30th September 2016 andform MS1 was submitted by 31 December 2015

COUNTY CONFERENCE DELEGATES

In order to send a delegate to the CountyConference branches must

return the Delegate Nomination Form, Annex A,included in the Conference Circular. ATTENDANCEIS CURRENTLY VERY LOW, PLEASE ENSUREYOU HAVE RETURNED YOUR FORM IFATTENDING.

BRANCH AND GROUP NEWS & EVENTS

THE NEWSLETTERIs edited by Bryan Emery (Deputy County Treasurer)

He may be contacted on any matter concerning the newsletter including suggestions forimprovement, layout, or what have you! You may send contributions for inclusion in thenewsletter direct to the Email address shown below. It would be helpful if all contributions aresent using Ariel 9 point font. bryan.emery@btinternet.com

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On Friday 11th November the school conducted the 4th

Tabor Academy Festival of Remembrance. We werehonoured and privileged to receive attendance fromvery important visitors, from the Governing board andlocal government, Armed and domestic services. Theformat of the service was changed this year toincorporate heroes of the past, present, and future.The past was represented by four WW11 veterans ,allin their 90th years, MrJames Nelson ( RoyalNavy and Normandyveteran) Mr Arthur Tyler(Royal Navy veteran) MrKen Kippin (Armyveteran) Mr Tony Gill(R.A.F Veteran).Forheroes of the present wewere delighted to havetwo former studentsreturn, Lance CorporalMason Godfrey (RoyalAnglian Regiment) LanceCorporal Ben Waller(Royal Logistics Corp)and Lance Corporal ChrisBaker ( who was disabledin Iraq whilst serving from The Royal Engineers) Andfor the future representatives from the local cadetforces. The assembly was fully supported by TheRoyal British Legion Essex Senior Officers and fromthe Braintree &Bocking Branch towhom we areaffiliated. Studentsread three touchingWW1 poems, withsinging performancesand a dramaperformance, withfinally the NationalAnthem being sung byMegan Chappell. Wedo follow the fullprotocol of the act of remembrance from The RoyalAlbert Hall Festival of Remembrance, with wreathsbeing laid in respect of the fallen and the poppyspeech from Miss Lily Orr

from St. Michaels school to represent the primarychildren of Braintree, concluding with the last post anda poppy drop with 2 minutes silence. All of our guestscommented on how touched they were with theassembly, particularly the serving military andveterans, who said that they felt extremely proud toattend and had never seen anything like it in a school.

At the going down of the sun, and in themorning, Tabor Academy will

Remember them.

TABOR ACADAMY

FESTIVAL OF REMEMBRANCE

CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

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During the performance a scene illustrating thesoldiers at the front and the need to send and receivemail. This was emphasised when a member of thecast left the stage and presented a letter to the CountyPresident. Cllr Bob Villa, who just happened to beseated in the right place at the front of the invitedguests!

The letter, written on the appropriate type of paper,bore an actual three halfpenny stamp of the period!(Such is the attention to detail made by the Academy)and is reproduced here.

A typewritten transcript of the contents of the letter isproduced (below) for clarity.

Dear Royal British Legion Essex,

Just thought to write to you a quick note during ashort period of cease fire.

Our assemble today reflected the commitmentthat Tabor Academy has to ensure that all of ourArmed Forces Past and Present, especially thoseof 1914-18 that had colleagues pay the ultimatesacrifice to ensure our freedom, that theirmemory will live on for our, and the nextgeneration.

As a sign of our respect we conduct this assemblyto all of the men and women that have given theirtomorrow for our today. God bless them all.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morningTabor Academy will remember them.

Signed and endorsedAll at Tabor Academy

See you next year.

TABOR ACADAMY – FESTIVAL OF REMEMBRANCE

CONTINUED

THE TABOUR ACADAMY REMEMBRANCE SERVICE – footnote from David WilesThe Tabor Remembrance Service evolved for the first time in 2010 when two students lost their uncle, Lance Corporal ScottHardy of the Royal Anglian Regiment in Afghanistan, up until then the school remembered our fallen hero’s with thetraditional two minutes silence. I consulted the Head of School at the time and suggested that we should have an annualservice of remembrance that the whole school could attend and learn from. The school affiliated to the Royal British Legionin 2012. When we converted to Academy status I was proud to be able to continue, with the support of the new school headto this day. The family of Scott attend every year, and we produce a piece of artwork for them in Remembrance. Now theTabor Academy Festival of Remembrance has achieved wide recognition and we are extremely proud of what we do, andare humbled by all who attend.

COUNTY WELFARE FUND

GROUP & BRANCH DONATIONS

1 JULY 2016 TO 30 JUNE 2017

GROUP/BRANCH £

TAKELEY 500

SOUTH WOODHAM FERRERS 1000

HEDINGHAMS 2000

COLCHESTER 5000

WIVENHOE 670

FINCHINGFIELD 2000

WEELEY & LITTLE CLACTON 600

BURNHAM 150

THAXTED 200

KELVEDON 1800

GREAT WAKERING 3000

TOTAL FROM GROUPS/BRANCHES 12120

OTHER DONATIONS 320

COUNTY GENERAL ACCOUNT 7,614.13

COUNTY WELFARE ACCOUNT 33,068.74

COUNTY GENERAL BFI ACCOUNT 33,051.59

COUNTY WELFARE BFI ACCOUNT 122,319.58

TOTAL FUNDS HELD AT 1 OCTOBER 2016 196,054.04

PAGE - FINANCE

COUNTY FINANCE

POPPY APPEAL

2016

FINAL TOTALS

NATIONAL£44,602,245

ESSEX COUNTY1,291,227

BRANCH FUND INITIATIVE1.9851%

THE COUNTY TREASURER IS TO OFFER, HOPEFULLY EARLY IN THE NEW YEAR, A SERIESOF SHORT ONE DAY BRIEFINGS FOR BRANCH TREASURERS, AND OTHERS, WHO HAVESOME ACCOUNTING EXPERIENCE AND ASPIRE TO THIS POSITION. THE BRIEFING WILLCONCENTRATE ON BRANCH ACCOUNTING AND THE PREPARATION OF BRANCHACCOUNTS FOR THEIR ANNUAL AUDIT/EXAMINATION, AS OPPOSED TO TO A FORMALCOURSE. THESE BRIEFINGS WILL TAKE THE FORM OF INTERACTIVE SESSIONS WITH THEEMPHASIS ON PRACTICAL WORK.

ANY MEMBER INTERESTED IN ATTENDING THESE BRIEFINGS PLEASE CONTACT, IN THEFIRST INSTANT, THE MSO BY EMAIL OR ON 01245347123