Boston Branch - News and Events

The Branch held its April Meeting at which Miss Lily Kemp, our Branch Standard Bearer was welcomed to the meeting as having been placed fourth in the National Youth Standard Bearer Competition. The next meeting of The Forces, Family and Friends Support Circle will be held on Saturday, April 28th between 10 and 12 noon at Grounds Court, Broadfield Lane, Boston

The next meeting will be the May meeting on Monday May 21st at The Conservative Club, Main Ridge West, starting at 7.15 p.m

Monday, April 2nd - NEWSLETTER -

Hope you didn't get caught out by an April Fools' prank. Hope the 53 Members who've paid by Direct Debit don't think this next bit is a belated April Fools' joke but the Branch has £1 to give you back. At last years Annual General Meeting the Branch learnt that the Annual Affiliation Fee was going up by £1 but it agreed that in light of the Branch's relatively strong financial position, the Branch agreed to cease charging the £1 Branch Subscription. Due to an error by HQ they continued to deduct this from Direct Debit payers who were charged £13.

We have now managed to secure that money back from HQ but at the March Branch meeting it was agreed that to write out 53 cheques for £1 and to post them to each individual to whom this applied was an expensive cost of both time and effort to the Branch and it was agreed that each individual be asked "do you want the £1 or can the Branch pay it into Branch funds?" If you'd like the £1 please send s.a.e. to the Branch Treasurer, Mr Tony Prior, 58 Church Road, BOSTON, Lincolnshire PE21 0LW.

If no s.a.e. is received by the May Branch meeting on May 18^th it will be agreed that you are prepared to make a donation of £1 to Branch funds. Sorry this has happened as a result of a mistake by HQ but the Branch couldn't think of a better way of dealing with this problem. This will not apply to several recently joined Members, who joined by Direct Debit as the mistake was corrected by HQ in January.

The last Branch meeting heard the exciting news that our Branch Standard Bearer, Miss Lily-May Kemp had won The East Midlands Regional Youth Standard Bearer Competition and now goes forward to the National Competition. Well done Lily-May and good luck at the National's.

We have a new Social Secretary. Mr Doug Kearney has, due to work commitments, especially as a busy Branch Case Worker, been forced to resign as Branch Social Secretary. Having just turned up to present a donation from The James Edwards Community Chest, Miss Laura Patterson didn't probably think that by the end of the meeting she had joined the Branch and had been elected Branch Social Secretary. Welcome to the Branch Laura.

Looking forward to the remainder of the year please see set out below a Diary of events currently planned for the year: -

• Friday, 13^th April - Sausage and Mash supper in aid of The Mayor's Charities. 6.45 for 7 p.m. Falklands Suite, Boston Conservative Club, Main Ridge West, Tickets £12.50 available from Mrs Diana Walker Tel: Boston 350542 or contact Diana by e-mail on dondi@supanet.com
• Monday, 16^th April - Branch Meeting. 7.15 p.m., Lounge Bar, Boston Conservative Club, Main Ridge West and then every third Monday of each month.
• Wednesday, 25^th April - ANZAC - Gallipoli Day Service. 10.45 for 10.55 a.m., St.Botolph's Church, Boston. The Worshipful The Mayor of Boston, Councillor Mary Wright will be the guest of honour. After the Service you are invited to follow the Australian and New Zealand custom and join in a drink to the health of missing friends and comrades in a nearby pub.
• Saturday, 28^th April - Forces, Family and Friends Support Circle meeting.10 to 12 a.m., Grounds Court, Broadfield Lane, Boston
• Sunday, 6^th May - Royal British Legion County Service of Re-dedication. Bourne Abbey, Bourne Abbey, Church Lane, Bourne PE10 9UQ. The Service will start at 2.30 p.m. Standards are asked to be on Parade by 2.00 p.m. in the nearby Memorial Gardens. Changing facilities for Standard Bearers will be available in the nearby Darby & Joan Club.
• Sunday, 13^th May - Laying up of Merchant Navy East Lincs Standard. 2.30 for 2.45 p.m., St.Nicholas' Church, Fishtoft Road, Skirbeck, Boston. Standards are asked to muster at 2.00 p.m. Refreshments will be available for those interested afterwards in The Church Hall.
• Wednesday, 6^th June - Joint Service - Dunkirk, Normandy & Korean Veterans + Dedication of Memorial Plaques in "Veterans Way". 10.30 for 10.45 a.m., Boston War Memorial Garden, Bargate Green, Boston - there may well be as many as ten new plaques to be dedicated.
• Sunday, 24^th June - Veterans Day Service, Kirton. 10.45 for 11.00 a.m., Kirton Methodist Chapel, London Road, Kirton, organised by The Kirton & District Branch.
• Monday, 25^th June - Raising Armed Forces Day Flag. 10.00 a.m. Boston War Memorial Garden, Bargate Green, Boston
• Thursday, 28^th June - RBL Kirton organising coach trip to National Memorial Arboretum. Tickets available from RBL Kirton Secretary Mr Bob Allan Tel: Boston (01205) 360921
• Friday, 29^th June - all Veterans are invited to wear their medals and all Forces home on leave or based locally are invited to wear their uniform.
• Saturday, 30^th June - Armed Forces Day. Event being planned by RBL, Boston in Boston War Memorial Garden, Bargate Green, Boston - all day from 8.30 a.m.
• Monday, 3^rd September - Merchant Navy Day - details awaited
• Saturday, 15^th September - Battle of Britain Day. 10.30 for 10.45 a.m., Boston War Memorial Garden, Bargate Green, Boston
• Sunday, 16^th September - Battle of Britain Service. 11.15 for 11.30 a.m., St.Botolph's Church, Boston
• Sunday, 7^th October - Service in the Field.2.15 for 2.30 p.m., Sibsey Northlands
• Friday, 19^th October - Poppy Appeal Ball, including the launch of The Poppy Appeal in Boston. The Branch will also be presenting a replacement Remembrance Day 11.11.11 Flag to Boston Borough Council. Falklands Suite, Conservative Club, Boston.6.45 for 7.00 p.m., tickets £20 available from RBL Boston Vice-Chairman, Mr Mike Creek Tel: Boston (01205) 369502 or contact Mike by e-mail on  michael.creek@talktalk.net
• Saturday, 20^th October - Trafalgar Day Dinner. 6.30 for 6.45 p.m., Boston & County Club, tickets available from RNA Chairman, Mrs Diana Walker Tel: Boston (01205) 350542 or contact Diana by e-mail on dondi@supanet.com
• Sunday, 21^st October - Trafalgar Day.10.30 for 10.45 a.m., Boston War Memorial Garden, Bargate Green, Boston
• Saturday, 27^th October - Poppy Appeal Launch at East Kirkby Aviation Heritage Centre. 11.30 for 11.45 a.m.
• Sunday, 4^th November - RBL Festival of Remembrance at RAF Cranwell.2.00 p.m. - tickets £5 available from RBL
• Thursday, 8^th November - Opening of Boston's Garden of Remembrance.10.20 for 10.30 a.m., Boston War Memorial Garden, Bargate Green, Boston
• Saturday, 10^th November - Service in the Field, Bicker.10.40 for 10.50 a.m.
• Sunday, 11^th November - Armistice Day & Remembrance Sunday.Muster at 10.30 a.m. outside Marks & Spencer

So, if you are entitled to a £1 refund please send your s.a.e. to the Branch Treasurer.

Doesn't seem like 30 years ago that Argentina invaded The Falkland Islands does it but……………………… 

"We Will Remember Them"

Stephen Morrison, Secretary
Boston & District Branch, The Royal British Legion, 93, Sydney Street, BOSTON, Lincolnshire PE21 8NZ

Wednesday, February 1^st 2012 - NEWSLETTER

Last month's meeting was probably one of the longest we've ever held. Due to the decision to cancel the December meeting, following on from there being no ordinary meeting in November, save the Annual General Meeting, we had an awful lot of business to get through and we never got finished until 9.30 but please don't let that put you off coming to our next meeting on Monday, February 20^th at The Boston Conservative Club on Main Ridge, starting at 7.15 p.m.

One of the things we did discuss at the meeting was the need to cut down on postage by sending these Newsletters out by e-mail, wherever applicable. Now I know many of you do not have access to the internet and rest assured these Newsletters will continue to be entrusted to The Royal Mail but I must ask if you would like to have your edition sent by e-mail please let me know by contacting the Branch on our e-mail address rblboston@aol.com . I will send a copy of this Newsletter to those of you whose e-mail address I know and I would appreciate it if you could confirm receipt.

The meeting heard that the Concert by The Cambrai Band of The Heavy Cavalry back in October made £6610 profit for The Army Benevolent Fund, so a big thank you to all of you who attended and helped to sell tickets.

It was reported that the Government had changed its mind, following pressure from The Legion and had agreed to maintain the position of Chief Coroner. This followed the campaign by The Legion to see enforced The Military Covenant in its entirety. The Branch has recently approached Boston Borough Council asking the Council to create a local Community Covenant to show a solid commitment to the serving and ex-serving members of the Armed Forces and their families who live in our area. A letter from our MP, Mr Mark Simmonds was reported to the meeting, in which he expressed the Government's position at the time of his letter, regarding the continued status of The Chief Coroner.

The Government sought to save £8.5 million but The Legion argued that the Office of The Chief Coroner was vital in its support to bereaved families who were attending a Military Inquest. The MP's letter had of course been received before the Government changed its mind and no doubt our MP will now fully support the maintenance of the Chief Coroner.

The Boston Round Table had once again very generously donated their annual Christmas Hampers and a number of Members received them and our thanks have been extended to The Boston Round Table.

The meeting heard that our recently appointed Branch Standard Bearer, Miss Lily-May Kemp had won the County Youth Standard Bearer Competition and had been presented with her trophy by our County Patron, The Lord Lieutenant of the County, Mr Tony Worth at the recent County Annual General Meeting at Horncastle. Lily now goes forward to the East Midlands Youth Standard Bearers' Competition to be held on Saturday, February 11^th at The TA Centre, Clare Street, Northampton NN1 3JQ beginning at 2.00 p.m. It would be lovely to see support for Lily from Boston so if you fancy going to see a Standard Bearer Competition - and if you've never seen one you'll be quite surprised - go along to Northampton on Saturday, February 11^th.

The County Patron had been busy presenting prizes to Boston folk having presented his award to the Affiliated Cadet Unit who had done most for The Poppy Appeal. At the opening of The County Poppy Appeal at East Kirkby in October he presented The Lord Lieutenants Award to Training Ship Cottesmore, Boston Sea Cadets. The award was accepted by Miss Bethany Mason who had done so much herself during The Poppy Appeal.

To-day sees the date by which we have to return the Membership Cards of those Members who do not wish to renew their Membership and sadly I have had to send back eight Cards. This has reduced the Membership to fewer than 100 again but at the same time we have signed up three new Members, so the net reduction is five leaving the Membership standing at 97. Let's get back to 100+ soon.

One of our new Members, Mr John Barton, has brought with him a marvellous set of fishing equipment for anybody who fancies a bit of fishing. John has a very large collection of fishing tackle but due to ill-health John has not been able to use the tackle for a bit but he has very kindly offered to allow any Branch Member the opportunity to borrow it. If anybody is interested please contact me Branch Secretary, Stephen Morrison on Boston 350387 and I will put you in touch with John.

We've had a request from Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire who would like to hear from anybody who served in the RAF or lived in Lincolnshire either during World War II or The Cold War? If you'd like to have your memories recorded please contact Dave Harrigan on 01529 308137 or contact him on david@aviationheritagelincolnshire.com Interest for any stamp collectors - The Falkland Islands have recently issued a special edition. They will cost £3 with £1 going to The Legion. These can be obtained either from their website www.falklandcollectibles.com or contacting Phil Middleton, 31 Fitzroy Road, Stanley, Falkland Islands, FIQQ 1ZZ. One poignant message reported to the meeting came from Ireland. The Irish Government in 1945 "blacklisted" the nearly 5000 Irish men who left the Irish Defence Force and joined the British Armed Forces. President de Valera alleged that they had all deserted and they were found guilty of desertion at a mass kangaroo court and as a result of them being blacklisted those that returned after the War were denied work within the Government in Ireland. This ban lasted until 1952 but the charge of desertion stands to this day. A petition has been launched to obtain a pardon for these men and if you'd like to support this campaign please access www.forthesakeofexample.com and look for "Irish Soldiers Pardons Campaign".

The Branch is continuing to seek a refund of the £1 that was overpaid by Members who paid by Direct Debit and we are currently awaiting a reply from HQ.

The Forces, Family and Friends Support Circle will be having its next meeting at Grounds Court, Broadfield Lane, Boston PE21 8DU, 10 - 12 noon on Saturday, February 25^th - please come along but more importantly let anybody who has a family member in the Armed Forces to come along. There is no compulsion to join The Legion and we would be delighted to hear from them and more importantly of their experiences so that we can help other people by learning from other people's experiences.

Wednesday, November 23^rd 2011  NEWSLETTER - edited 17/01/12

The Branch held a very well attended Annual General Meeting last week and we have a new President and a new Chairman. Following a surprising resolution proposed by Mr Peter Morris and duly seconded, Mr Paul Duddigan stepped down as Chairman to be immediately elected as Branch President and we have a new Branch Chairman, Mr George Reid. Many will know George from his days as coach to Boston Rugby Club and his involvement in helping to organise the Children's Remembrance Day Services for the last two years. We also elected a new Branch Standard Bearer. One of Paul's last actions as Branch Chairman was to let the Meeting know that Miss Lily Kemp had won the recently held County Youth Standard Bearer Competition and it was agreed to elect Lily as the Branch Standard Bearer. Lily is a Cadet with The Boston Detachment of The Lincolnshire Army Cadet Force, based at The Drill Hall. It was agreed to elect a Deputy Standard Bearer and Mr Peter Morris was duly elected and will be properly kitted-out so that he can attend events as a recognised Legion Branch Standard Bearer. The Treasurer, Mr Tony Prior presented the Balance Sheet for the year and whilst he was pleased to note that the Branch had successfully raised some funds for the Branch, he had to report a small drop in funds held locally. The Boston Poppy Appeal Organiser, Mrs Sue Ransome thanked everybody who had helped The Poppy Appeal during the year, especially at the 90^th Anniversary function at Fydell House in June. Sue wasn't finished counting this years street collection totals but she felt confident that we were not far off last year's record total of over £22,000.

Once again we had an excellent turn out at our Remembrance Day Service and again at our Remembrance Sunday Service. A number of you have asked me "where were you?" - well I was very lucky to have been invited by The Honourable Company of Master Mariners to attend their Service at All Hallows Church, Tower Hill, London, followed by attending the Service at The Merchant Navy Memorial nearby, so please accept my apologies. You seemed to do alright without me and hopefully you'll find a replacement for me before too long, although the house market seems very slow moving, so you might have me for a good while yet!