THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION SUFFOLK COUNTY NEWSLETTER Spring 2011

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1 THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION SUFFOLK COUNTY NEWSLETTER Spring 2011 FROM OUR NEW WELFARE OFFICER TONY MAIDMENT POPPY APPEAL AS AT 1 APRIL 2011 Suffolk 610,232 which is 3.6% up on the same time last year Well done!! COUNTY NOTICES & EVENTS Hello everyone, having just taken up the role of County Welfare Officer for Suffolk I thought a line or two to introduce myself wouldn't go amiss. My name is Tony Maidment and I started my new role on Monday 13th December 2010, I am married and live just over the border in Norfolk and have 2 sons who live away from home. My father served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War, and then later became a career soldier serving in the Royal Engineers. I spent my young years at a variety of Army bases inclusive of several years in Germany. I am the youngest of 4 brothers, with 3 of us joining the Royal Navy. My eldest Brother and myself were both "Ganges Boys" having left school at 15 years and both Marine Engineering Mechanics although we served at different times. My other brother was in the Fleet Air Arm leaving the Royal Navy a couple of months after my joining. I had the privilege of serving in the Royal Navy from , starting at HMS Ganges ( 3rd from last intake of 15yr olds) HMS Neptune, then HMS Mermaid the last Singapore Guardship spending 18 months in the far east returning to the UK in A few months were spent at HMS Warrior and HMS Sultan before returning to sea for another 30 months on HMS Pollington based in Rosyth. I left the Royal Navy in 1980 having got married. Upon leaving the forces I suffered from what most ex serviceman suffer from and found it hard to settle into civilian life having several jobs including working at an Oil Refinery, a builder and a milkman. I eventually tried my hand at Policing and joined the Metropolitan Police Force in 1981 where I remained until fairly recently leaving in I worked as a Constable in North East London, Barkingside and Leytonstone before going to Hackney as a Sergeant. From there I specialised onto the Marine Support Unit serving my last 7 years there. During my time in the Metropolitan Police I worked mainly as a uniform officer on 24 hour Policing Teams but carried out a lot of plain clothes targeting work on various crime squads. I also worked on numerous Public Order Support Units and District Support Units all over East and North London. Whilst at the Marine Support Unit I again carried out a 24hour policing role as well as various drug and human trafficking operations with both Customs and Immigration officers. My last few years were spent as Operations Sgt, planning and policing most major events throughout London such as Beating the Retreat, London Marathon, State Opening of Parliament and all major Royal, Military and VIP events and functions. Upon leaving the Police I became a Practitioner for Suffolk County Council Youth Offending Team, working as a Court Presentation Officer and Bail and Remand Officer, also dealing with accommodation issues. I saw the Welfare Officer job advertised and thought that it was a role I'd love to do and felt I had some attributes that could help being an ex serviceman and a member of the Legion (Dickleburgh branch 633) I am still finding my feet but enjoying the role immensely and I'm looking forward to meeting as many Legion members as I can, so if you are ever at the office please say hello.

2 SUFFOLK COUNTY CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2011 April 06 Wednesday County Management Board 13 Wednesday ANZAC Tea Dance - Sudbury 16 Saturday County Committee Stowmarket 16 Saturday Wickham Market Club coffee morning May 01 Saturday Bury Challenge Marathon and Walks (not organised by Legion) Sat Sun (2)Branch Management Course Venue Suffolk, exact TBA June 01 Wednesday Suffolk Show 02 Thursday Suffolk Show 05 Sunday Sudbury- Family day Colchester united football club Escape To Victory reenactment 07 Tuesday Mildenhall trip to National Arboretum 10- Friday 11 Saturday Poppy Party Weekends 12 Sunday 11 Saturday Sudbury Great Poppy tea party at The Five Bells, Gt Cornard 2.30pm 5 buffet tea 11 Saturday Haughley Poppy Party Music Day 11 Saturday Beccles Fete 12 Sunday Beccles Church Service 12 Sunday F&J Group Rally Wickham Market 12 Sunday Wickham Market branch - disco 15 Wednesday Ipswich RBL Homecoming parade, 4 th Army Air corps/90 th RBL celebration 15 Wednesday Otley Hall open gardens 2-5pm. Proceeds to Suffolk RBL Poppy Appeal 17 Friday Caseworker Development Day Needham Market 19 Sunday F & J group Rally Wickham Market 25 Saturday Chelmondiston Fun Day (PAO organising) 25 Saturday Woodbridge dance tbc July 03 Sunday County Rally Bury St Edmunds 06 Wednesday County Management Board 08 Friday Housebound and Hospital Visitors Course venue to be confirmed 09 Saturday Caseworker course day one Venue to be confirmed 09 Saturday Sudbury Band concert (RAF Honington), Delphi Social Club 8 09 Saturday Leiston celebrations- 90 th RBL and 125 th Leiston Band 09 Saturday Mildenhall Grand 90 th birthday Party Social Club, Supper Dance with buffet 16 Saturday (2)Branch Treasurer Refresher Course exact TBA 23 Saturday County Committee Bramford weekend Bikers Branch national rally Trimley St Mary August 6 Saturday Newmarket Race Day 13 Saturday Wickham Market Club coffee morning Sat Sun (2)Branch Treasurers Course Venue Suffolk, Exact TBA September 07 Wednesday County Management Board 10 Saturday Ipswich RBL - Corn Exchange Minden band 11 Sunday Felixstowe Branch Open Day at Landguard Fort 16 Friday Suffolk RBL Golf Day Bury St Edmunds 17 Saturday Concert in the Cathedral and possible other events (Bury St Edmunds) 24 Saturday Standard Bearers Competition (Ndm Mkt) October 1 Saturday County Committee County Office November 02 Wednesday County Management Board 26 Saturday County Committee - Woodbridge Please share information about events you know of with the County by informing the office to keep this document updated.

3 COUNTY NOTICES & EVENTS - CONTINUED 90 TH ANNIVERSARY GOLF EVENT COURTESY OF BURY ST EDMUNDS GOLF CLUB # 90 golfers for 90 years# FRIDAY 16TH SEPTEMBER per person 10.00am tee off, Coffee, 18 hole stableford (3/4 handicap) Fourball betterball competition, 2 course meal, prizes and draw. NEWMARKET RACE DAY SATURDAY AUGUST 6 TH 2011 Premier Enclosure 12 (reduced from 23) Grandstand 9.50 (normally 16) Booking ref is RBL11 FIRST RACE LAST RACE DONATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR THE RBL SUFFOLK BOTTLE RAFFLE PLEASE. DONATE TO COUNTY OFFICE MANY THANKS INVITATION FROM DICKLEBURGH AND DISTRICT RBL ANNUAL DINNER FRIDAY 15 TH APRIL 7.30 PM THE SWAN HOTEL, THE THOROUGHFARE, HARLESTON Call Secretary on ALL BRANCHES AND STANDARD BEARERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND CHURCH SERVICE, DICKLEBURGH SUNDAY 12 TH JUNE The Poppy Shop no longer engraves anything so we have an engraver near here who will put the Lion logo and any text onto either glass, aluminium or pewter tankards for 25 Please speak to Sandra as further details have yet to be arranged. SUDBURY RBL We shall be working with Colchester Branch TRBL for a family Day at Weston Homes Stadium Colchester with fund raising Tables, TRBL Bikers Branch, Vintage display of Cars and Military vehicles, a Military Band, Bouncy Castle, Ice Cream and Burger Vans, Face Painting, TRBL Freefall Team have been approached. This will all be outside the Stadium. A WW11 Re-enactment Group will re-enact the Football Match from the Film Escape to Victory and past local Players are being contacted to attend and possibly play for a short time. A Grand Raffle with some Memorabilia is also planned. The Day will start at a.m. and the Match will start at 2.30 p.m. There is ample free car parking at the Weston Homes Stadium. It is easily approached from a slip road off the A12. Snacks and drinks together with bar facilities available. We are asking Branches through the County Newsletter to consider having a fundraising 6ft Table, which will be supplied, fee 10, for their own Poppy Appeal. Contact Stuart Hume or e mail humestuart@hotmail.com.to book a Table. Everyone will need a Ticket to enter the Stadium for the Match. Cost 5 adults and 5 s to 14 s 3. Fancy Dress 1940 s civilian French optional STRICTLY NO UNIFORMS. Ticket Enquiries to Colin Smith or e mail mail@cscsmith.fsnet.co.uk. BRANCH SECRETARIES AND BRANCH CHAIRMEN PLEASE NOTIFY YOUR MEMBERS AND HELP US BY PURCHASING YOUR TICKETS BEFORE THE DAY. A stamped addressed envelope would also be helpful for return of tickets.

4 SPEAKER AVAILABLE WORLD WAR 2 TALK PLEASE CONTACT BEVERLEY COOPER / coop501954@yahoo.com BRASS BAND COINC CONCERT - RAF HONINGTON BAND DELPHI SOCIAL CENTRE, SUDBURY 6 Alan Brockbank aa.je@btinternet.com POPPY PARTY WEEKEND HAUGHLEY SATURDAY 11 TH JUNE POPPY MUSIC DAY AND FETE Margaret Buttle SUDBURY SATURDAY 11 TH JUNE THE FIVE BELLS, BURES ROAD, GT CORNARD 5 for TEA/BUFFET Rod Kilby BECCLES FETE - SATURDAY 11 TH JUNE CHURCH SERVICE SUNDAY 12 TH JUNE Brian Woodruff brian@brianandphyllis.plus.com DON T FORGET!! SUNDAY 12 JUNE AT 4PM RAISE A GLASS, TEA CUP, BOTTLE OR WHATEVER TO THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION STANDARD BEARERS REQUIRED FOR: OTLEY HALL GARDENS, JUST NORTH OF IPSWICH, WILL BE OPEN ON WEDNESDAY 15 TH JUNE IN AID OF THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION 2.50 per person Raffle prizes welcome in aid of TRBL. SUFFOLK SHOW; NEWMARKET RACE DAY and COUNTY RALLY. Please contact Pat in County Office. Ipswich RBL Freedom of Ipswich Parade 15 th June. Please contact John Bradbury LEGION MAGAZINE APRIL EDITION MAKE SURE YOU LOOK OUT FOR THE ARTICLE ON HAUGHLEY BRANCH!!!!!!!!!!!!! POWER TO THE VILLAGE PEOPLE HOPE YOU KNOW THE DANCE!!

5 COUNTY NOTICES - from The Secretary TRBL. Regional Training for all RBL Members. Course subject.-branch management Dates,- 21st-22nd May Venue,- Old Newton Sports & Social Club. (Details below). Course subject,-branch Treasurer, refresher. Date- 16th July Venue- Old Newton. Course subject.-branch Treasurer. Dates,- 12th -13th Aug Venue,- Old Newton. Students will be advised on the timings. Details, Old Newton, Stowmarket Suffolk. IP14-4ED B 1113 Travelling north from Stowmarket, at Old Newton turn right at Shoulder of Mutton public house, (Currently closed). Venue is on your left next to the Community Centre. Lunch is provided. There is a club bar. Course Subject.- Standard Bearers Training. Dates. TBD Venue. Stowmarket Drill Hall. Course Subject,- Youth Standard Bearers Training. Dates. TBD Venue. Stowmarket Drill Hall. Details and applications are available from the County Parade Marshall David Land As an advance notice the Chairman s get together will be towards the end of September. Details will be published when available. Welfare Training. The county staff undertakes welfare training, I have included dates for planned welfare training only for your information. Be aware that applications for these courses are through the County Office Welfare Staff. Also, be aware that Criminal Record Bureau checks (CRBs) are required before attendance. Members wishing to attend should therefore apply through The County Manager without delay. Course Subject.- Mandatory Case Workers, Training. Continuous development. Date.- 17th June Venue.- TBA. Course Subject.- National Caseworkers, Training. Dates.- 9th-10th July Venue.- TBA Course Subject.- Housebound and Hospital Visitors. Date.- 8th July Venue.- TBA Joining instructions will follow from HQ once applications have been processed. WANTED WANTED WANTED WANTED WANTED WANTED WANTED WANTED WANTED A COUNTY POPPY APPEAL CO-ORDINATOR, AREA CO-ORDINATORS FOR WEST, EAST AND SOUTH SUFFOLK AND LOCAL AREA CO-ORDINATORS FOR BOXTED, HEVEINGHAM, BADINGHAM,BRUNDISH DENNINGTON, MENDLESHAM & DISTRICT, YOXFORD & DISTRICT, AND KELSALE. Most of these have Poppy Appeal Collectors in place but require someone to oversee the area, distribute materials, collect, count and bank money. If you would be interested, please contact County Office or Lyn Hatch, Community Fundraiser for Norfolk and West Suffolk, Please note we do not currently have a CFR for East Suffolk. COUNTY SPORTS OFFICER Some branches and Clubs have expressed interest in resurrecting the County Sports competitions. Is there anyone out there who would consider taking this on? It would involve co-ordinating with branches, clubs and National Sports Officer, organising competitions and venues

6 A PLEA FROM ME- MEMBERSHIP FORMS please double check them before you send them off- all the details are clear and legible, it is signed by member and secretary, Section E should only ever have two ticks in it- the top box and ONE other, the direct debit form is clear and has been signed. It takes me a lot of time with checking, amending and returning these forms before I can then send them away. ACCOUNTS RETURNS Please support your treasurer in completing these. I had to return or get double checked approximately 80% of branches returns and in many cases, the accounts forms did not balance. The branch officials sign these to say that they are correct so please make sure that they are when you sign them. POPPY CASH AND CLUB SAFES Please do not assume that you are entitled to keep Poppy Appeal money in Club safes. This may well invalidate any insurance they hold. Please bank this in accordance with your instructions. BRANCH FUNDS INITIATIVE 3.05% Has your Branch signed up? Some branches are holding quite large amounts of money in ordinary accounts. It is your duty as trustees to ensure best return on your assets so please consider moving money into the BFI. It is reasonably instant access if you need to access it This plaque was presented to the HM Border Force Cutter which helped with the Poppy Appeal Launch in 2010 It was turned in 3 differing types of wood and will hang in the mess room on board. By me Tuddenham St Martin Sue Robertson, our money and benefits advisor and her daughter are making TKupKandles, using reclaimed cups and saucers. If you have any old cup and saucer sets no longer required, could you please let Sue know These are scented candles. Fragrance examples are Sea Breeze, Summer Garden, Strawberry Mousse, Baby Powder and Café au Lait available to order and purchase. Prices range between 3.50 and 7.50

7 NATIONAL NOTICES There are number of our branch members, who regularly take part in middle distance running events; to promote the work of the RBL and to raise funds for The Poppy Appeal. so we thought we would try something a little longer...90k over 7 days. On Monday 16th May 2011 the team will be doing the eastern leg between the War Memorial, St Georges Park, Great Yarmouth to The Royal Naval Patrol Service Memorial, Lowestoft, they will be setting of at approximately The link below gives a map of the route which is approx 15.8km. RIDERS BRANCH Between 15th - 21st May 2011 a team of runners from The Royal British Legion Riders Branch, will be partaking in 7 x 13k runs throughout the county; covering each of the regions covered by the branch CHAPTER 4 DRESS FOR LEGION OCCASIONS MEMBERS Veterans Badge. This badge may be worn by those who qualify. It should NOT be worn by a Standard Bearer when in uniform. Change to: Veterans Badge. This badge may be worn by those who qualify. It may be worn by Standard Bearers and Parade Marshals on all occasions except Standard Bearers Competitions. CHAPTER 6 - THE STANDARD BEARER The Royal British Legion (Male and Female) Lapel Badge. Official Legion badge denoting the membership status (not tiepin), polished, in correct position, i.e. normal button hole position; no other badges. (When a Standard Bearer is on parade with a Standard he will not wear the dress type Standard Bearers flag pole badge which is an off-parade badge entitled to be worn by all present and past Standard Bearers.) Change to: Lapel Badges Official Legion badge denoting the membership status (not tiepin), polished, in correct position, i.e. normal button hole position should be worn Veterans Badge may be worn by those Standard Bearers and Parade Marshals who qualify on all occasions except Standard Bearers Competitions. It should be worn just below and slightly left of the Membership Badge, as you look at it on the Jacket (please see picture below) When a Standard Bearer is on parade with a Standard he will not wear the dress type Standard Bearers flag pole badge which is an off-parade badge entitled to be worn by all present and past Standard Bearers No other badges should be worn

8 CHANGES TO DRILL MOVEMENTS Notes. 4. Rules for Dipping of Standards and the Union Flag. This note is additional to the procedure set out in: Annex G The Dip - as for a Royal Salute. Annex I The Dip - as for an Act of Homage. Annex J The Dip - Wet and Muddy Conditions The Union Flag and Legion Standards are both dipped for the National Anthem, a Royal Salute and for an Act of Homage (Last Post; Silence; Exhortation). The Union Flag and Legion Standards are not lowered for a march past. In the special event of the Queen or a member of the royal family taking the salute at a march past, special instructions will be issued. (Note: The Guards bring their colours to the horizontal (wet conditions) position when marching past the Queen). On a march past, Standard Bearers do not pay compliments (ie eyes Left/Right), but Parade Marshals do, and salute. 5. Marks of Respect - Standards will be dipped when receiving a Royal Visitor, when the National Anthem is played, during the sounding of Last Post and during the Silence. They will be raised on the first note of the sounding of the Reveille. When Standards are not carried members of the Legion will show their respect by standing to attention. Change the 4 th bullet point in paragraph 4 to: The Union Flag and Legion Standards are both dipped for the National Anthem, a Royal Salute and for an Act of Homage (Last Post; Silence; Exhortation). The Standards are dipped when foreign national anthems are played. Change paragraph 5 to: Marks of Respect - Standards will be dipped when receiving a Royal Visitor, when the National Anthem is played, when foreign national anthems are played, during the sounding of Last Post and during the Silence. They will be raised on the first note of the sounding of the Reveille. When Standards are not carried members of the Legion will show their respect by standing to attention. HEROES RETURN2 PROGRAMME We are pleased to announce Big Lottery Fund has extended its Heroes Return 2 programme by a further 12 months with a new closing date for applications of 31 January We would be grateful if you could help us spread the word about this funding for veterans. Veterans are eligible as long as they saw active service in World War 2 and are resident in the UK or Republic of Ireland. We will make grants for travel and accommodation costs to visit places where veterans saw active service. We can make grants for trips abroad or for veterans to attend commemorative events in the UK. We will also pay for someone to travel with the veteran. Widows and widowers of veterans can also get a grant in most cases. Travel needs to take place before end of December 2011, but grants are available until end of January This is because in some cases you can get a grant even if you ve already paid for your trip. This programme is not means-tested. 2 Big Lottery Fund does not make the travel arrangements, but veterans may be able to get advice from the Royal British Legion travel service, Poppy Travel on Visit this blog to read about some of the journeys made by veterans If you have any general questions about the scheme or would like to find out if you are eligible, ring the application helpline You can also download an application pack at DO YOU WANT TO RECEIVE THIS NEWSLETTER VIA YOUR E- MAIL? THEN PLEASE INFORM sbromley@britishlegion.org.uk Any information to be included for the next newsletter, please have into the Office by End April 2011 IF YOU WISH THIS NEWSLETTER IN LARGE TEXT OR CLEARER TEXT FORMAT, Please contact the County Secretary