THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION RUSHDEN BRANCH NEWSLETTER We Meet on the 2nd Monday of the Month at Rushden Football & Social Club, Hayden Road, RUSHDEN……. Bring a friend to join the Branch

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Newsletter No 38

BRANCH CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

July 2014 FREE AFTERNOON TEA & BUFFET At 3pm Monday 4th August there is to be a free afternoon Tea & Buffet at St Peters Church Hall, Midland Road. Please see the poster attached for further details and how to get you and yours a seat.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Please note subscriptions will go up with effect from September 2014 for a sum of £15 a year.

CAVALCADE Poppy Appeal Organiser Barbara Clark is happy to inform the Branch we had a good weekend at the Cavalcade and raised £590 on the Tombola Stall over the three days and thanks everyone for all the gifts and help we received.

PARTY IN THE PARK Volunteers are sought to help Councillor Adrian House marshal the car parking any time from 1pm to 5pm on Saturday 12th July. Any length of time, even just half an hour to give someone else a break, would be very much appreciated. If you can help, please contact Jake Baker at [email protected] or on 07525 441267 who is collating a list of volunteers for Adrian.

What an Armed Forces Day we had on Saturday 21st June, a tribute to the hard work of Mo Weight and his team, Jake the parade commander and the agencies who took part in a fine tribute to our Armed Forces past and present. I think that the profile of the Branch has been raised immensely through this and my thanks go to all of you who played a part in the event. I do hope that the Branch can re peat the high standard set this year in the future. Next comes “Get To Know Rushden” week 7th -13th July culminating in the Party in the Park on Saturday 12th July; we will have a table at Rushden Hall Park during the week and a stand in operation at the party. Please make an effort to get to the park and support us. Robin Bryant is still looking for support for his pedal to Paris venture so if you have not yet sponsored him please visit his “Just Giving” website at www.justgiving.com/Robin-Bryant. I mentioned at the last meeting that ICELAND have designated the RBL as one of their charities this year and will also be doing a sponsored cycle ride on SUNDAY 20th July at EATON WALK and also a 10 km sponsored walk on SUNDAY 27th July at the PEMBERTON CENTRE. They are of course looking for sponsors and I will have sponsor forms for you to pledge at our next meeting. Most importantly though, I think that it would be nice for us as RBL members to turn up at these events and give them some support, so please support this. The Honour Walk part of Armed Forces Day went well but there were fewer participants than last year. Nevertheless, at present the sponsorship stands at £300 and climbing. Please can all you with sponsor forms return them and the cash to me as soon as you can. Thank you for supporting the Honour Walk. As you all are possibly aware, my wife and I are moving home to Poole in Dorset and because of this I will have to relinquish the Chairmanship of the Branch. I have enjoyed the responsibility of steering the Branch through for well over a year and I am very grateful for the support from all of you. My aim was to raise the profile of the Rushden Branch of the RBL in the town and to increase awareness of the work that the Legion does for veterans as well as raising the level of fundraising through our increased awareness footprint. I think that this has happened and that the Branch can be proud of what we have achieved. The Companionship Group started by Ann & Jan has gone from strength to strength (4 to 33) and is a shining example of the Legion’s commitment that has provided a template for other Branches and agencies to follow. Thank you both for your unstinting efforts. WE STILL NEED VOLUNTEERS TO BECOME HOSPITAL/ HOME VISITORS. Can you find it in your heart to provide this service to those that need your company so badly in their old age? To all of you that have become friends and partners in crime during my tenure, please keep up your work and continue volunteering; you are the backbone of the Branch and without you there would be no successes to write about in the Newsletter. This will be my last report and I do hope that you enjoyed them.

Best wishes to you all.

Brian Hunt

Chairman Rushden Branch RBL

SHOULDER TO SHOULDER WITH ALL WHO SERVE

WHO’s WHO? Treasurer: Michael Wadsworth

President: David Hawker Vice President: Harry Graham MBE Chairman: Brian Hunt Vice Chairman: Beryl Shadbolt Secretary: Alan Clark

Membership Secretary: Les Meakings County Information Volunteers: Brian Hunt Ann Kadiri

Media Representative: Jake Baker JP Branch Webmaster: Paul Mills Standard Bearer: David Hawker Deputy Standard Bearer: Robin Bryant

Padre: Reverend John Tye Poppy Appeal Organiser: Barbara Clark

CONFERENCE 2014 -

Branch Bugler: Bob Crick

Branch President David Hawker

With the local regiment being Light Infantry, the Rifles Band lead us in, then along Torquay’s promenade from the War Memorial; they gave us an evening concert and closing ceremony. 460 delegates and 200 others attended; President, Chairman and Director General gave addresses stating how we must adapt to change. Pop In Centres, new offices, on-line and Call Centres, ACV Short (how the manufacturers and sellers of boilers, radiators, condensers, etc survived the depression and WW2), the Poppy Girls and some showbiz celebs who are “on side”. We were given the annual report and accounts (available to all members). Also learning packs sent to schools for Key Stages 1 - 4 available on www.britishlegion.org.uk/learning Charter motions and motions were then debated: To make Charter shorter; Changes in representation between Membership Council, Trustees and Executive Board and eligibility to speak at Conference; That Conference can debate administrative matters; That caseworkers be computer literate - amongst others, I spoke of Ann Kadiri’s achievements in welfare for our Branch, and others, with the Friendship Group and extensive visiting, all without computer - motion carried with 79%; That “As Custodian” be inserted in the Charter before “to promote, Remembrance”. Neither proposer or seconder said more than I propose and I second, so I spoke, including my request, that the responsibility requires us all to recruit new members. Said in a manner that all will remember Rushden Branch Northamptonshire! Editor’s Note: David had said to the Director General “The mouse has roared” in which the DG replied “That was Churchillian.” David received a round of applause…….and so it is that our Branch is well and truly on the map! Well said David.

VANN’S CROSS AMBER ALE Two former soldiers Peter Brady and Vincent Stimpson sought initial funding and business advice from the Royal British Legion’s “Be The Boss” initiative to set up a small local brewery namely the Copper Kettle Craft Brewery. Having produced a highly credible product, ideas of a brand name were sought via Facebook and one that appealed to them was Vann’s Cross. This is most apt given the centenary of the First World War, the award of the Victoria Cross to a Rushden born soldier and officer and of course Pete’s and Vince’s former Army service. Pictured here is Dr James Vann, one of two grandson’s of Rushden’s very own First World War VC recipient Lieutenant Colonel Bernard Vann VC. His Grandfather was born at 46 High Street South, Rushden and there is a blue plaque above the front door to this day. When Jake & Lynne Baker learnt of the real ale being named Vann’s Cross, they did some research on the internet and discovered James lives in Dorset. They brought with them a couple of bottles and chanced a visit three weeks ago on their way to a wedding in Somerset. Dr Vann and his wife were very welcoming and kindly agreed to this picture. Look at http://ckcb.webs.com/ for more information on Vann’s Cross Amber Ale.

PETITION Many members will have heard talk of a new 420 pupil Primary School being built in Goulsbra Road, Rushden which is due to open in September 2015. The Dale Green Foundation Trust, based in Nottingham have been tasked with the building and running of this Academy School and were contacted by the Rushden District and Historical Society with a view to naming the school after Lt Col Bernard Vann VC; response was negative and unfortunately RDHS do not wish to support us as a collective in naming the school BERNARD VANN VC PRIMARY SCHOOL and so we shall go it alone in running the petition which has been launched by RBL Member Councillor Sue Homer, in whose ward the school is being built. Luckily for us, Sue is also a County Councillor and has approached the Trust to be permitted to join meetings regarding the School as a County Council representative; this has been granted and as a result, it was decided to launch a petition. This must be completed by end of August 2014 and it is hoped to get at least 10,000 signatures supporting the petition. Volunteers are sought to help Sue and Jake - if you have any spare time, even just for an hour or two just the once, please contact us via Jake Baker on 07525 441267 or [email protected] Many people may not be aware that there is not a street, road, house, garden, park or anything in Rushden that represents Bernard Vann’s name save for the blue plaque on 46 High Street South that marks where he was born and of course the War Memorial. There are other people who are no longer with us, but unquestionably earned the honour of having roads named after them such as Maye Dicks Road, John Clark Way and Goulsbra Road, yet Bernard Vann VC made the ultimate sacrifice with little to show for other than the deep pride his relatives have of him today. This wrong must be righted and what a more appropriate time than now, the centenary of World War One. So please do support the petition and let the voice of the Rushden people be heard in naming our new local school, rather than that of an organisation from Nottingham who have nothing to do with Rushden. Petition Forms will be left at various places such as the local Library, Pemberton Centre and some shops in the High Street. In order to ensure the petition is validated please only sign the petition once followed by your name alongside your signature. Finally, if you cannot find the time to help out, then can you please get the attached form completed and hand back to Jake Baker or Sue Homer by the end of August at the latest.

FRIENDSHIP GROUP The Friendship Group held a High Tea last month at Eat N Enjoy which was very well attended. Membership has grown from strength to strength and at the last count was 33. Here are some pictures of Ann & Jan at work!

Members enjoying High Tea

Ann with a Group Member

Café Owner Caz with Jan and ASDA Community Champion Billie Callan

THANK YOU A HUGE THANK YOU IS CONVEYED FROM US ALL TO COUNCILLOR DAVID JENNEY FOR SELECTING RBL BRANCH RUSHDEN AS ONE OF HIS CHOSEN CHARITIES DURING HIS TENURE AS MAYOR OF RUSHDEN FROM MAY 2013 TO MAY 2014. DAVID IS PICTURED HERE PASSING A CHEQUE OF £3,867.18 TO CHAIRMAN BRIAN HUNT

THANK YOU TOO TO MO WEIGHT AND ALL AT MVS RUSHDEN PLUS RBL RUSHDEN BRANCH MEMBERS FOR MAKING RUSHDEN’S ARMED FORCES DAY 2014 SUCH A GREAT SUCCESS

SOME DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 4 July 2014: Independent’s Day - Rushden High Street 4 - 13 July 2014: Get to know Rushden Week with Party in the Park on Saturday 12th July 2014. 14 July 2014: 7.30pm Branch Meeting followed by a BAHG presentation of Thurleigh Airfield. 4 August 2014: 11am WW1 RBL Commemorative Service at the War Memorial

4 August 2014: 10pm to 11pm LIGHTS OUT is an invitation to everyone in the UK to turn off their lights leaving on a single light or candle for a shared moment of reflection to mark the hour that Britain entered World War 1 exactly 100 years ago. 11 August 2014: 7.30pm Branch Meeting followed by RBL Northants Advice and Information Officer Presentation from Penny Pope.

15 September 2014: 7.30pm Branch Meeting 15 September 2014: 7.30pm Branch Meeting 13 October 2014: 7.30pm Branch Meeting 18/19 October 2014: 40’s Weekend at Rushden Station 9 November 2014: Remembrance Sunday 10 November 2014: 7.30pm Branch Meeting

EXHORTATION They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them….......we will remember them.