Welcome to the Ashton under Lyne Branch of The Royal British Legion
How RBL's members marked our centenary in 2021
Last year we celebrated the Royal British Legion’s centenary. For more than 100 years now, Members have been at the heart of what the RBL does and throughout 2021 a plethora of events and activities were held by our Branches and Members to bring communities together and celebrate this milestone. Here is a video highlighting some of these activities and events.
Mary Davies Trophy
RBL Poppy Appeal Annual School Award
David Brown PAO for the Branch and Alex Kershaw Deputy PAO presenting the new Mary Davies Trophy to the school that raises the most for the Poppy Appeal. The winner this year was Ashton West End Primary School who raised an amazing £390.58.
This will now become an annual event, and will be open to any school within the Branch's area.
It was lovely to see the smiling faces of the children, who even stood at the school gates, selling poppies to the parents as they arrived - well done to everyone at the school.
100 Heroes Remembered
Ashton under Lyne Branch will be commemorating their 100th Birthday on 12th December 2021. As part of our celebrations, we have a social media campaign to remember 100 Armed Forces Personnel from the Tameside area. On Tik Tok and Facebook we will be uploading short videos giving details of people from Tameside that have served their King/Queen and Country, with some giving the ultimate sacrifice in conflict.
We are asking the people of Tameside if they would want their loved ones included in the campaign, those that have served or are still serving. We need the following details for anyone you wish to be included
Name
Who they served with and when?
Any conflicts they served in
Where they are from in Tameside?
A photograph (ideally in uniform)
Date of death (age at death)
Please contact me if you want your family member included, my email is greatermanchester.cto@rbl.community or call me on 07935312349.
Please follow our campaign on
Tik Tok – 100heroesremembered
Facebook – TRBL Ashton Under Lyne Branch
ASHTON UNDER LYNE Branch marks
VJ Day at Ashton War Memorial
Saturday 15th August 2020
The Royal British Legion calls on the nation to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day from home.
As people are no longer able to attend national and regional VE Day 75 commemorations or events due to the Covid-19 pandemic, The Royal British Legion is playing a central role in the delivery of a range of remote activity for people to participate in from home. This includes a VE Day 75 livestream, national moments of Remembrance and thanksgiving and a learning pack for young people.
The Legion is inviting all its members to join together in encouraging people of all generations and communities to take part in the activities on 8th May and pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of the entire Second World War generation. As society faces some of the most challenging times since of the Second World War, it is now more important than ever to unite in recognition of service to the nation, just as communities did 75 years ago.
Royal British Legion Schedule
1100-1102 – Two Minute Silence
1115-1200 – The Royal British Legion VE75 Livestream
2000-2110 – VE Day 75: The People’s Celebration, BBC One
2100 – ‘We’ll Meet Again’ Singalong
Two Minute Silence
The Legion is calling on people to join in a national moment of reflection and Remembrance at 11am on Friday 8th May and pause for a Two Minute Silence, not only in recognition of the service and sacrifice of the Second World War generation, but also to reflect on the devastating impact Covid-19 has had on so many lives across the world.
People are invited to take part in the Silence in whatever way they feel appropriate be that standing at their window, stepping outside their home, whilst remaining distanced from others, or taking the opportunity for a quiet moment of reflection. To build momentum towards this important moment, please share this with your communities and encourage everyone to come together in Remembrance at 11am.
The Royal British Legion Livestream
Following the Silence the Legion is hosting a VE Day livestream, sharing stories and memories from those who served and sacrificed during the Second World War. The Legion is inviting people to grab a cup of tea and join us for the livestream as we bring the World War Two generation together with today’s generation to chat about their experiences.
Hosted by TV presenter Sonali Shah, the programme will feature contributions from social historian Julie Summers and cook and influencer Melissa Helmsley. The stream will be live from 11.15am on the Legion’s website rbl.org.uk/veday75.
VE Day 75: The People’s Celebration BBC ONE: 20:00 – 21:10
To mark the 75th anniversary of VE day, in these unprecedented times, the BBC in partnership with The Royal British Legion will honour and celebrate the World War Two Generation with an evening of memories and music. Featuring some of those who remember this historic day, together with Britain’s favourite performers who will entertain us with popular songs of the era. In a fitting finale at 9.00 pm we will see the nation unite for a very special rendition of “We’ll Meet Again” as we all give thanks to our veterans and remember our loved ones.
‘We’ll Meet Again’ Singalong
Lyrics available on The Royal British Legion website https://www.rbl.org.uk/stories/ve-day-singalong
VE Day 75 Learning Pack
Designed for 7-14 year olds the learning pack includes first-hand accounts from the Second World War generation, veteran interviews and a range of activities to allow families to explore and commemorate VE Day 75 together. People can follow the activity on social media using #VEDay75 and #VEDay75Live during the livestream.
Message from the Director General
Over these last weeks I have spoken to many people who are doing all they can to keep our country and communities working, from those in the big supermarkets to friends trying to run their own small businesses, from those who are Serving to politicians and to delivery drivers, from other charities to staff working across the Legion and with members who are supporting our beneficiaries in communities across the UK and Europe. We are all facing real and fundamental issues with huge unknowns and many common challenges and shared concerns. All are doing their very best to understand and navigate this new world. None have all the answers. None expect to get everything right but all I have spoken to are determined to play their part as best they can and build stronger communities and nations as we emerge from this.
The Legion was created as a response to massive challenge and change. The red poppy took root and grew as a national (indeed international) symbol of remembrance and hope. This short message reflects those challenges and that shared determination. Please forgive the rather home made recording.
County Conference 2020
Jack White Cup
Following on from Greater Manchester County Conference yesterday, I can only say what an amazing day for the Branch. Congratulations to both Chelsea Egerton - County Standard Bearer and Lewis Castle - County Youth Standard Bearer. Both Chelsea and Lewis were sworn in as the County Standard Bearers by the County Chairman Joe Larrigan. Also the Branch won the Norman Webster Memorial Shield for the highest amount raised for the Poppy Appeal in 2018-19. To make it more poignant this is the first time in the cup's history that the Branch has won it. We also were the winners of the Jack White Cup, which is awarded to the Branch that has shown the most overall progress in respect of the work of the RBL in Greater Manchester. A huge thanks to all the Branch members and volunteers who has helped the branch have a clean sweep at the conference. 2020 will be huge for the Branch to try and improve on what we have done, we can only get better.
Norman Webster Memorial Shield
For more photos please go to page on County Conference 2020
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The Royal British Legion is the UK's leading Armed Forces charity and one of its largest membership organisations. Members get together through the network of branches and clubs all over the country and overseas to participate in social, fundraising and welfare activities.
Ashton under Lyne Branch meets on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at The Broadoak Hotel, Ashton-under-Lyne, commencing at 7:00pm.
Membership is open to everyone. If you have an interest in the objectives of the Legion and want to help and support for those who have served and their families, come and join us. We welcome men and women of all ages, whether they have served in the Armed Forces or not.
Legion membership ensures that
- Remembrance is kept alive and that the sacrifices our brave Service men and women have made are never forgotten.
- The ex-Service community have a voice and that their concerns are brought to the public eye.
Becoming a member also provides the opportunity to get involved in a wide range of activities and events held locally, regionally and nationally throughout the year.
Membership can be arranged locally, please email our Secretary Karen Brown giving details of your name, address and telephone number, for an application form.
if you would like to join online please click on the link below
https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/membership/become-a-member/
If you wish to contact us or to report any inaccuracies or omissions on this site, please email the webmaster .
About The Royal British Legion
We provide financial, social and emotional care and support to all members of the British Armed Forces - past and present and their families- please see our Welfare Services page. The Legion is also the national Custodian of Remembrance and safeguards the Military Covenant between the nation and its Armed Forces and is best known for the annual Poppy Appeal and its emblem the red poppy.
Founded in 1921, the Legion is not just about those who fought in the two World Wars of the last century, but also about those involved in the many conflicts since 1945 and those still fighting for the freedom we enjoy today.
Visit www.britishlegion.org.uk for details of our national initiatives.
