County Chairman Philip Wilson's Speech
Warwickshire was one of the first to have a County Corporate Plan – Towards 2010 and Beyond, launched here in Shire Hall at the Reception following the 50th Anniversary of D-Day in June 1994. Several thousand people attended the Drum Head Service and Parade which was broadcast that night on Songs of Praise, six military bands took part. We even had a rehearsal to test the timings and make sure the key players and the 150 Standard Bearers knew what was expected of them. We achieved far more than a hat trick that day with Ted Jobson, TRBL National Chairman, the National Vice-Chairman and the National Chairman of the Women’s Section present. Ted said the plan captured the ethos of the Legion for the future. Today its fitting we have Peter Cleminson our National Chairman present with us as our Guest Speaker.
Much has happened during the past twelve months as evidenced by the Legion Displays in the ante-chamber. Yesterday we ran a Meet the Legion Event here in Shire Hall with County Councillors and their staff present. 2009 saw the retirement of our County Manager Alan Mallett who joined us in 1994, we have much to thank him for. The growth in the Warwickshire Poppy Appeal from £230k in 1993 to a staggering £690k by 2007 was in part due to Alan’s enthusiasm. Well supported Poppy Forums, Poppy Launches, and Poppy Shirts at football matches continue to attract much media attention. None of this would have been possible without the veritable army of Warwickshire Poppy Workers and the support and generosity of the public.
Over the past 16 years from 1993 to 2008 the total amount collected for the Warwickshire Poppy Appeal is £6.5 million, as evidenced by the time line display in the ante-chamber – quite remarkable. Our new County Manager Seb Hargreaves reminds us in his report that Warwickshire is now helping over 700 people with welfare support in a typical year, thanks to our sizeable voluntary caseworker team,
admirably supported by our two County Welfare Officers. In 2009 we appointed a Community Fundraiser Gail Collins, who is proving to be a great asset. In 1994 we said ’Branches remain the bedrock of Legion activity. It is the Branches who have the closest contact with the public and whose activities influence public opinion.’ The same is true today.
The County and its Branches continue to remain active as is evidenced by the timeline display in the ante chamber. County Administration has significantly improved over the years thanks to our dedicated County Secretary David Tyler.
Warwickshire was one of the first in 2009 to upgrade its Legion County Website in line with the new and much improved Legion website. How we make best use of modern technology is one of the keys to the future. The World Wide Web provides an ideal information highway and here in Warwickshire we have not been slow to make best use of it.
We stand today on the threshold of a new decade, one which sees the 90th Anniversary of the Legion in 2011. Back in 1997 I wrote a short paper for the Director General entitled Towards 2010 and beyond - a Vision for the Future and I quote from the conclusion: ‘There is a future for the Legion well beyond 2010 and whether we like it or not inactivity on our part within Branches or Counties/Districts will accelerate the speed at which changes will occur. How we influence the speed of change rests not only with our ability to continue to the respond to the needs of others, but also how we continue to recruit and retain sufficient actively participating members. Failure to do so will inevitably lead to changes within an earlier time span than need be. The process of gradual change is inevitable but the shape and speed of that change rests with us all, as well as those that follow us.’
