Sandbag - Wincanton RBL Newsletter: March 2011
Summary
Editor Tony Goddard - 01963-824193
Secretary Arthur Pickup - 01963-32952
Branch Meetings for 2011 - Wincanton Memorial Hall - Monday at 7pm
18th April
16th May
20th June
11th July
15th August
19th September
17th October
7th November(AGM)
19th December
Coffee Mornings for 2011 - Wincanton Memorial Hall - Saturday at 10am
2nd April
30th July
29th October
Events for 2011
Poppy Party's
In line with all Legion branches nationally we will participate in the 90th anniversary year Poppy Parties. The official day for the launch of the parties is 11th June and on this day we will have an informal members event in the sun lounge of the Memorial Hall at 8pm when we have invited John Gudge the popular Country Music singer who performed for us last winter. The evening will include a fish & chips supper. I will coordinate the June party and Arthur has agreed that he will coordinate another Poppy Party on Saturday 13th August. All proceeds will go to Wincanton Poppy Appeal 2010.
67th Anniversary of "Old Faithful" Crash
Those who attended the Old Faithful commemoration last year will remember that Mr. & Mrs. Ostroumoff the present owners of Snag Farm have invited us to hold a ceremony at the crash site this year and afterwards take tea and biscuits with them at the farm on the anniversary-25th June. We are in the early planning stages but we hope to erect a small bronze plaque at the farm commemorating the crash and sad loss of life. Because of the size of the site we will have to limit those attending to members who have placed a reservation on my list for the event. The Flying Fortress crashed at approximately 3pm on Sunday 25th June 1944 and we intend unveiling the plaque at that time on 25th June this year. I will start the list at the March branch meeting, please advise me at the earliest opportunity if you wish to have an invitation.
Wincanton Branch Trips for 2011
Visit to a working brewery-Hall & Woodhouse Blandford 25th March
I do still have places on this trip but if you want to go please contact me urgently. We meet at the brewery at 11 am using our own transport. Cost £6 on the door. Note no coach provided due lack of numbers.
Lunch at Otter Garden Centre Wincanton 6th April
This event has proved so popular that it is now totally full and some members are on standby for cancellations. Those on the list already are guaranteed and I will advise those on standby if there are cancellations. We will meet at the Garden Centre at 12 noon, as the majority of members do not need transport. If you have a problem getting there let me know as the CAT Bus will be made available. The cost of the meal is £7 for two courses plus tea/coffee and I have been advised that if you wish to bring your own bottle of wine for the table this is in order (no corkage) and glasses will be provided by the restaurant. As it all sounds to have makings of a good event I will judge whether we can make this a regular event.
Trip to Poole 16th April
Our next branch trip is to Poole on Saturday 16th April. Cost as usual is £10. We had hoped to incorporate a visit to the RNLI Training Centre but unfortunately they do not conduct these tours on Saturdays. The coach will leave Memorial Hall at 9am and we will be home around 5pm Please let me know as soon as possible as the coach is filling up on this very popular trip.
Visit to Thorney Island
You will all remember I am sure, our excellent visit to the Army Air Dispatch unit at RAF Lyneham a few years ago, arranged by Lucy Giles the then commander of the unit, which culminated with a flight in an RAF Hercules aircraft. Lucy and her husband Nick live in Army quarters at the Royal Artillery unit Thorney Island where Nick is commanding officer. Lucy & Nick have invited the branch to visit them at the base on Thursday 19th May. We will have a tour of the base with its military cemetery and astounding views of the Solent then have lunch in the mess. Spaces will be limited to those on list. Cost will be £10 coach plus £5 lunch, we will depart from Memorial Hall at 8.30 am and home around 6pm Reserve a a place now!
Bruton trips
As I mentioned late last year Derek Cooke has retired from arranging Bruton branch monthly trips and handed over to a new organiser, Lynne Hawkridge. I have spoken with Lynne and we have agreed to coordinate dates of both branches trips to ensure there are no clashes of destinations or dates. As I have not yet set our dates firmly I will try to arrange our trips this with a mind to this.
Next Bruton trip is to Gloucester Quays on 21st April.
Lynne is trying to keep the costs the same this year and will be £10 each. If you are interested in either of these trips or a future one please contact Lynne direct on 01749-812916.
Main Article
Victoria Cross Memorials from around the World
Many of us know about Steve Lee's excellent research on the holders of the Victoria Cross, in fact Steve has mounted a number of exhibitions for us a Coffee Mornings. I was very pleased when Steve offered to write an article as I do believe Steve can be described as an "expert" on the Victoria Cross. To read his story, download the attached pdf file.
Other points of interest
Wincanton does it yet again!!
For the fourth consecutive year Wincanton branch has won the prestigious Colin McKenzie Cup for the most efficient branch in Somerset with under 500 members. The cup was presented by Brig. D.H. Godsal MBE, County President, at the annual County Conference in January.
Knocker White receives his medal
Knocker White was presented with his Pingat Jasa-The Malaya Emergency medal recently. The medal, issued by the Government of Malaysia is to those from Commonwealth Countries who served in Malaya during the Emergency between 1957-1966. Knocker served there in the Royal Navy and the medal was presented to him by the Malaysia Military attache just before Christmas. The government recently approved the wearing of the medal by qualifying veterans.
Welcome new members
We would like to welcome Maggie Giles, John Cuss and Clive Reid who recently joined.
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