The Beginnings the Army & the Guards

Winchcombe Branch

Annual General Meeting

Chairman’s Report 2016

I have to report that the Branch has had a good year with just one deathMr H Cox and one of our French members Monsieur Claude Ledouxwife Renée after along illness. Mr John Trainhasresigned due to ill health. Mr Reg White has moved to Northampton. Our President Major Tom Hancock caused concern when he was taken ill and had to spend 10 days in hospital. When I visited him he was in good spirits albeit rather weak. He spent a few weeks recovering at home being looked after by Rosemary. I am pleased to report he has now back to his old self and attended our September meeting.

Our remaining D-Day veteran Bill Parker is in good form and will be with us again this year. He travelled twice to France with his family for D-Day and other celebrations. However, he is due for an operation on his eye soon and I wish him a full recovery.

I am starting my report with a word of caution on the future of the Branch. We are getting smaller in numbers and getting older. None of us can carry on forever. I feel that someway or another we must encourage new and particularly younger members to join us to take on the various positions need for the smooth running of the branch. The Winchcombe Branch of The Royal British Legion is an instrumental part of the community. The support we have on Remembrance Sunday shows that. I would not want this to change.

New Members

We have had two new members, Mr Les Blake and Mr Lashford Spinks

Remembrance Service & Parade

The Remembrance Service and Parade went well despite some problems beforehand.Some of the parents were still not happy that we had restricted some of the very young ones from marching. A meeting took place early in the New Year and after assurances were given by the Scout, Guide leaders and their Commissionersthat they would take full responsibility for he safety of their members. It was then agreed we would return to the status quoi of previous years. They would be forming up again by Lloyds Bank under the supervision of the Scout Master Mr Maher. The County Office has been informed of the changes.

My thanks go to our Chaplain The Rt Rev Bishop Peter Firth, The former Rector of St PetersThe Rev John Partington and the other clergy for conducting the Service. The Rev Peter Doran gave the reflections in a loud clear voice. It was sad thathe passed away a few weeks later; our condolences go to his widow. Thanks to John Murphy, the Club Chairman for ensuring the club was ready. Unfortunately once again our French members were unable to travel over but kindly sent a 100 euros donation for the branch funds. I was a little disappointed at the number of members who came along to our Sherry reception and Buffet after the service; quite a lot of food was left over. I am hoping for a better turnout this year.

2.

Pates Grammar School CCF turned out three detachments of Cadets. My thanks go to Major CameronMacKaytheir Commanding Officer. Unfortunately the base drummer of the Cadet Band was new and set off at an almost Light Infantry pace which proved impossible for us all keep up. They were arriving at the Terrace as we were turning into the High Street. I am pleased that their old bandmaster Phil Meakin has managed to get into the School to help with this and has startedsome instruction so there should be some improvement this year. I would like to thank the pupil from Winchcombe School for the excellent reading at the Service.

Maurice Fletcher our Standard bearer for the last 27 years performed his last Remembrance Parade as Standard Bearer on the Remembrance Sunday. I thank Maurice for his work. He has carried our Standard with distinction and we were always very proud of him. A big well done and thank you Maurice. A presentation was made to Maurice at our Christmas lunch. I thank Russell Parkerwho has now been appointed Branch Standard Bearer.

11.11.11.

We had a good turnout of members and others at the Town Hall for 11.11.11.Our Chaplain The Rt Rev Peter Firthled the prayers and silence.

Lent Lunch

Rosemary Hancock once again organised another successful Lent Lunch, whicha record £623was raised for the Poppy Appeal, My thanks go to Rosemaryand her helpers, as well asVice Chairman John Markwick and his wife Sheila for organising the raffle.

Battle of the Somme

The Branch decided like many other branches throughout the country we would commemorate the 100 anniversary of he battle of the Somme, which started on July 1st 1916. Branch members and members of the public assembled at the War Memorial on Abbey Terrace at 0715hrs at 0730hrs a whistle was blown at the exact time they left the trenches. 20,000 men died on that day, the largest loss of life in the history of the British Army. A minute’s silence was observed and I as Branch Chairman laid a wreath. One of our members Jim Mason accompanied by his son Sean attended the ceremony in Thiepval France and laid a Branch wreath.

Poppy Appeal

With Mandy’s hard work and diligence the Poppy Appeal at the time of this report stands at £9,310.81 a staggering amount and remarkable achievement. I sincerely thank you Mandy for the work that you are doing, you really are an inspiration to us all. My thanks also go to Sarah Yetman for assisting Mandy.

Once again the Poppy Appeal Concert was a success, we had the Winchcombe Concert Brass and a choir, one of the highlights was asmall band that was formed by members of Winchcombe School. Ticket sales were down which gave us concern, however quite a number of people paid at the door, we ended up having to get more tables and chairs into the room. Mandy Clements-Hunt our Poppy Appeal Organiser managed to secure sponsorship from Willans Solicitors this covered the cost of the band and printing of the tickets.

3.

Welfare

All has been quiet on the welfare front with no cases having to be deal with by the Branch. Our Welfare officer Major Tom Hancock did attend a County refresher course

General

I along with our President Major Tom Hancock, Hon SecretaryReg Collings attended the County Conference in January.

Roger Shakespeare accompanied by Duncan Westerman kindly laid two RBL wreaths at the French Ceremony in Cherbourg. Duncan has recently been over to France again and laid a branch wreath at a monument to an RAF Airman whose remains have recently been discovered.

Social

We had an excellent attendance for our Branch Christmas Lunch at the Corner Cupboard Inn. Once again the food and the service were excellent and was enjoyed by all.

Finally,I would like to thank the following, our President Major Tom Hancock for his support throughout the year and the excellent way he commanded the Remembrance Parade.Roger Shakespeare for his continued support. At the time of writing he has purchased 60 cones for use at our Remembrance Service. These will be kept in the Town Council Yard until needed. It is intended to hire them to the Council who will make a donation to Branch funds.

My long-standing vice-chairman John Markwickis stepping down at the AGM. I thank John for his support and loyalty over many years and wish him well for the future. I thankSquadron leader Richard Lane our fundraiser for his help and support and sound constructive advice when required.

Our treasurer Michael Paish, who works diligently and tirelessly to keep our accounts in good order, whilst once again,having to adapt to the various changes in accounting sent from Head Office. A big thank you Michael for your patience and perseverance. We owe you a great debt.

Mandy Clements-Hunt who keeps us all on our toes with her enthusiasm and dedication to her role as P.A.O.

Last but by know means least Reg Collings my hard working Secretary who also takes the role as Membership Secretary. Reg really has been great help; he goes about his business in a quiet unassuming way, totally reliable.Thank you Reg for doing such a great job.

That concludes my report as Chairman. I thank all the members for their support.

John m Welch

John M Welch

Chairman & Parade Marshal

Winchcombe Branch, The Royal British Legion