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The Royal British Legion(Registered No. 219279 under the Charities Act 1960)
Garats HaY Branch(BR 3502) Branch Patron: Gen Sir Sam Cowan KCB CBE
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Newsletter Number 22Spring 2007
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President: Lt Col D Whimpenny Chairman: Mr JA Clark Vice Chairperson: Mr R J White Secretary: Capt N Watton Treasurer: Mr JR Farrell
Web site: www.garatshay.org.uk |
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MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Time again for the Spring edition, and as I look out of my window I can see the daffodils in the garden; the blackbirds and the seagulls are beginning to mate – and it is only the middle of February!
We have had our AGM in November, and details of this are shown elsewhere. We especially welcome to the committee our new Vice Chairman, Bob White, and a new addition to the committee, Dennis Weir. Welcome both. I would also like to say thank you to the retirees – Jackie Farrell as Vice Chair, Terry Whittles and Dennis Underwood as members. Your experience and company will be missed. It was also the first AGM in the hands of our new Secretary, Nigel Watton. First of many I hope.
The longest month of the winter – January – is over, and with it our District Conference. Unfortunately I was unable to attend, but Branch was well represented with Martin Foster as our delegate as well as those members on the committee. Hopefully you will be able to read about this conference later in the Newsletter.
We manage to maintain the status quo as far as the number of members goes, but we would like to have your email addresses. If yours is not on the members listing of the website, please let the Secretary and me know. You will receive your copy of the Newsletter much faster and also keep up with the modern trends in communications.
I wish you all a pleasant and Sunny summer.
God Bless.
John Clark |
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REMEMBRANCE WEEKEND & AGM 2006
The venue for the weekend was the Field Head Hotel in Markfield. The Branch Committee meeting started at 1100 hrs on Saturday 11th November, with 2 minutes’ silence in line with the Legion’s national campaign. This was our first meeting with our new Secretary, Nigel Watton, in action. The exhortation was given by our President, David Whimpenny.
Resignations were received from Vice Chair Jackie Farrell, and from Dennis Underwood. The Chairman recorded his thanks to both for the work they had done for the Branch. There were two volunteers for the vacancy of Vice Chairman, and Bob White was elected to the position. Dennis Weir was elected as a Committee Member. Martin and Linda Foster were appointed as our delegates to the Annual Conference in Bournemouth in May. Martin was also appointed as delegate to the District Conference in Pall Mall on 10th January.
The Branch has nominated Terry Whittles for the vacant post of National Vice-Chairman.
. On Sunday 12th November the Annual Remembrance Service was conducted by our Chaplain, Canon Derek Buxton.
A guard of honour was provided by a tri-service Guard from DISC
Chicksands, commanded by our own Treasurer in uniform. Wreaths were
laid by Mr Len Pole on behalf of the Parish Council, Sgt Fox on
behalf of Chicksands, and by the Chairman on behalf of the Branch.
Lunch was held once again at the Quality Hotel, Loughborough.
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WELBECK COLLEGE
A very full and satisfying weekend!
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MEMBERSHIP as at 30th September was 453
We welcome the following new members:-
Mr John Graham Mrs Peggy Holmes Ms Sarah Marshall Mr John Percival
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HELP WANTED
Name Looking for
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HELPING THOSE IN NEED by Pete Derrick
As Chair of the Branch Welfare Committee, I would like to explain the procedures that are adopted when I am notified that a Branch member has identified a “worthy cause”.
Dealing with an Enquiry I receive enquiries in a number of different ways - letters, telephone, emails, or through the RBL intranet system. It is important to note that if, during the initial enquiry, it becomes clear that the person is not eligible for a Legion scheme the person is still an applicant. All details are recorded and the applicant signposted to a relevant agency.
Should the contact be made by a Branch member on behalf of someone else it is not appropriate to contact the potential applicant without his or her prior permission. I would encourage the member to give my details to the potential applicant and ask him or her to contact me directly. Once I have been contacted I then set in motion the larger wheels of the Welfare Division and the “legwork” and “paperwork” is then handed over to the County Field office responsible for the applicant’s home area.
What is the RBL Grants and Loans Scheme? The Grants Scheme is designed to assist those facing a temporary crisis which, after all other possible measures have been taken, needs an emergency injection of funds to achieve a solution.
With a few general exceptions, virtually any request under this scheme can be considered but this does not mean that help is automatic.
It is impossible to provide an exhaustive list of the types of problems which will arise. They will cover every instance of human drama and trauma and a few examples are debts, family break ups, pending evictions, the effects of hunger and cold, the sudden need to replace major household appliances, home movement costs, physical disablement and the consequences of mugging and theft.
The grants can either be funded at Branch level or from central funds if the case is referred to the County Field Office. Welfare Committees will advise the County Field Office if the Branch is able to make a contribution to any grant that may be awarded.
“No Go” Areas where help cannot be given There are five major problem areas where, as a matter of Legion policy, assistance cannot be authorised. It is acknowledged that this could create genuine difficulties for certain people but, if the Legion were to help, the scale of demand would be beyond its resources. Any exception would be a precedent and it would be impossible, therefore, to deny others similar assistance.
Cases outside of Legion Schemes It may be necessary to arrange a visit to the applicant to ascertain the most appropriate way in which to assist. It will be the decision of the field office to decide if this is the most appropriate way to deal with the enquiry.
Cases within Legion Schemes The Field Office will decide the next appropriate action depending on the nature of the enquiry. Field Office staff will, in the first instance, follow the procedures as detailed by the different departments within the Welfare Division. Should the enquiry require an action from multiple departments, the enquiry is split into the relevant components and the procedures followed.
I include below a few examples of Legion Schemes and how the requests are handled:
Request for Prison Visit Requests for assistance from those in prison are dealt with through the caseworker visiting system.
Request from an Applicant who is homeless Those involved in delivering welfare services on behalf of the Legion are encouraged to contact local homelessness agencies and hostels ensuring that they are aware of what the Legion can do for those from the ex-Service community. They are encouraged to ask their clients if there is an ex-Service connection and if so pass on the Legion’s contact details.
There may be occasions when Client’s come in “off the streets” and ask for assistance, both financial and non-financial. It is expected that assistance of a non-financial nature should be dealt with by giving appropriate advice on the spot or referral to an appropriate agency. Clients who have a fixed address are advised of the procedure for assistance and arrangements made for a caseworker to visit the client in the usual away. Those of no fixed address will require an application form to be completed there and then. Proving eligibility is often difficult, as those who are homeless often have no documentary proof of service although they can generally give details, including number, rank and which arm of the services they were a member of. Careful questioning will usually reveal sufficient information for a judgment to be made. It is accepted that occasionally grants may be made to those making a fraudulent application. However, it is felt that the Legion should err on the side of caution and assist if an identifiable need is established.
Although the Legion is not able to provide housing it can assist with rent deposits once accommodation is found, setting up home costs in the way of providing household goods, furniture and the provision of suitable clothing. The latter is usually a must, especially for those of employment age, so that they can be suitably attired to attend job interviews. Once the Client has been found accommodation continuing support in the form of befriending visits may be needed. Often those who have been homeless, especially for a long time, find it difficult to settle back into communities. They are not accustomed to running a household and all that it entails. The Caseworker may be able to help, for example, with form filling for applications for housing or council tax benefit, local knowledge about shopping facilities or just simply a friendly face to chat to. Without support in the community many who find accommodation fail to maintain their tenancies and end up back on the streets.
Caseworkers are aware that some of the Client’s they meet might have mental health problems or addictive habits, such as alcohol and drug abuse. Indeed, for some it is these very issues that have resulted in their homelessness. Legion Caseworkers are not trained to deal with these issues and they must therefore ensure that the Client is receiving the necessary help from the appropriate agencies.
It has been commented by some that those on the streets, especially those who have addictive habits, are responsible for their own predicament and question the help that is given. The Legion does not pass judgement on those it helps. Life is cruel to many and we can never be sure of what has happened to cause the downfall of individuals. There have been Legion Client’s suffering from mental health problems such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, as a result of their service. This condition has gone undiagnosed and untreated causing a break down of their marriage and loss of employment; the end result of which has meant the individual became homeless. Please remember never to judge or question why an individual has found himself in the position he is in. Look forward and for the positives - how can we, the Legion, get this person back on their feet and playing a part in community life once more.
Property Repair Loan The Legion is often asked for financial assistance to meet the cost of essential repairs or renovation of property. In many cases the request for help comes from retired persons, living on fixed incomes and for whom repayment of a commercial loan is beyond their means. Previously, proven needs were met by grants, but these grants bore heavily on Legion funds. Not only that, but the property, its value enhanced, was eventually passed to others not eligible for Legion assistance. In order to meet such needs it has been decided that the Legion should lend, rather than give, money for property repairs. Those offered a loan have a choice of either making repayments during the life of the loan, or may repay the loan in a lump sum when the property is sold, or from the estate following death.
Loan Qualifications Applications may only be considered from retired or permanently disabled persons. Retired persons must be in receipt of the State Retirement Pension and in the case of couples both must be of retirement age. Disabled persons seeking to modify the structure of their home or to build an extension to it must be eligible for, and have sought, a grant from the Local Authority under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 and / or associated legislation. The property must be freehold or a minimum of 60 years remaining on a lease. The maximum amount of loan is £10,000 plus setup costs and the loan should not represent more than 25% of the applicant’s equity in the property. The minimum available is £4,000.
Conditions The loan will be made in the form of a legal charge (mortgage) upon the property to be repaired. Insurance will be required to cover the Legion’s interest. Legal, survey and any other costs of arranging the loan will be added to the amount of the loan for repayment by the borrower. The loan cannot be made for work already started or completed.
Small Business Loan As part of the Small Business Advice Scheme the Legion will consider applications from unemployed ex-Service personnel, or those about to be discharged, requiring financial help in order to start their own business. The maximum loan is £5,000. Loans will not be given to expand existing businesses. The loan term is over three years.
Should an applicant request a Small Business Loan, all details should be forwarded to the Small Business Loans team who will deal with the enquiry. Their address is:- The Cottage, Ordnance Road, Tidworth, Hants SP9 7QD Tel: 01980 847753 Fax: 01980 847734 Email: business@,britishlegion. org.uk
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Report of the Annual Meeting of the National Branches District Conference
Held At 48 Pall Mall London On Wednesday 10 January 2007 at 14.00
Present: Mr D P Smith, OBE District President Mr J Tuckey, MBE District Vice President Mr R Noyes District Chairman Mr J Long Lt Col D Whimpenny Mr D C Page, MBE Mr J Organ
In Attendance: Mr D Green Metropolitan and Overseas Region
After the Exhortation the President welcomed everyone to the second annual meeting of the National Branches District and once more regretted that so few delegates attended.
He said that it has been a very busy year for officers and committee since the conference last year, and thanked Roger Noyes, Terry Whittles, who has since become a member of the Board of Trustees, and those officers and members who attended the committee meetings to get the District successfully established and running. He also thanked David Green for his assistance to the committee, Richard Cast for acting as Secretary, and to Roger Manser for looking after the Budget, and preparing the Treasurers report.
He commented on the busy year, and stressed the need to recruit more members for the District, and to continue to improve communications.
Item 3 - Apologies for Absence
Mr R Cast Mr R Manser Mr D Street Mr J Clark Mr T Whittles Mrs L Foster
Item 4 – Minutes of the January 2006 Annual General Meeting were circulated and accepted as a true record.
Item 5 – Matters Arising There were no matters arising
Item 6 - Chairman’s Report
The Chairman told the Conference that we had achieved all of the targets which we had set ourselves at the 2006 Conference. However we should not get complacent, he said, because we had set our targets much too low which had ensured that they were all achievable. There was an excuse for this in our first full year of operation, but now that we were properly up and running, we had to really stretch ourselves, and there was a lot which needed to be done. We are drawing up a three-year plan of targets which will be presented to the committee when it meets in April, and we then have to get down to working on this new plan so that we can report to the 2008 Conference that we have achieved some things which needed to be done and which were really worthwhile.
The District is now firmly established and our first task is to communicate more regularly and more effectively with our member branches. They are the reason we exist and they need to know who we are, what we can do for them and the ways in which we are able to help. As in everything we do, communication will be the key to success and, for 2007, communication, is the ‘buzzword’ and our first and most important target.
Item 7 – Treasurers Report
In the absence of the Treasurer the chairman gave a short brief on the District finances. The District had receives an initial grant of £3,669 and the major expenditure had been on travel which totalled £1,234.88. As at the end of September the District accounts showed funds available of £2,234. This years bid will consolidate the support costs of all the branches and will reflect the level of expenditure for the year.
The report, subject to audit, was accepted by the Meeting
Item 8 – Election to District Committee
The posts of President and Vice President are no longer elected posts but are appointments made by the District committee
Mr D Smith, OBE confirmed that he was willing to remain as President Mr J Tuckey, MBE confirmed that he was willing to continue as Vice President
The following were confirmed to serve until the 2009 AGM
Mr R Noyes (St James’s) Chairman Mr J Clark (Y Services) Vice Chairman Mr R Manser (Y Services) Treasurer Mr J Long (St James’s) ) Mr D Page, MBE (St James’s) ) Mr D Street (Y Services) ) Members Lt Col D Whimpenny (Y Services) ) Mr J Organ (St James’s) )
Mr J Organ would serve as District Secretary after confirmation by the District Committee
Item 9 – Elections to District Conference Committee
It was accepted that the District Conference committee would be nominated by the Committee
Item 10 – Location and Date of next Annual General Meeting.
The meeting will take place at Head Office on Wednesday 9 January 2008
Item 11 – District Nominations for National Positions
There is no election to the Board of Trustees this year and there were no nominations to the National Conference Committee
Item 12 – Appointment of Delegate to Annual Conference 2007
Following discussions it was agreed that Mr D Smith, OBE would attend as District Delegate.
Item 13 – Open Forum
Due to the absence of Mr T Whittles, Board of Trustees Member the Chairman submitted an address on his behalf. This covered the following points:-
WELFARE
Legion welfare, over the next four years, aims:
• To reach more people; • To focus our services on people with the greatest needs; • To provide a holistic response to need; and • To work in partnership with the State and other organisations.
The results of the consultation will be summarised and published in the spring. The Welfare Strategic Plan will be presented to Annual Conference 2007.
DEFINITION OF DEPENDANTS
Work continues on how best to word the various definitions. The favoured approach is to split the definition into Spouse, Child and Dependant and then define each of the three. We will provide much more information, including a booklet on welfare Charter Motions and Motions, to members this year to ensure that there is a constructive debate at Annual Conference.
THE POST OF DIRECTOR GENERAL (Prepared by the National Chairman)
The National Chairman announced with regret on the 21st December 2006 that David Wills had decided to step down as Director General with immediate effect.
While a search is conducted for a new chief executive, the role of Director General is being filled by the Executive Board under the guidance of the National Chairman, and that of the National Vice Chairman in his absence. Major projects will continue uninterrupted.
NEW HEAD OFFICE
On 19th December 2006 the freehold of Angel Court in SE1 was acquired. A full refurbishment will be completed at the end of 2007 / early 2008 when it will become the Legion's new national Head Office.
The Legion owns the freehold of Haig House (48 Pall Mall) and intends to dispose of the property once it has vacated the premises.
PAYMENT OF AFFILIATION FEES BY DIRECT DEBIT
• 91,000 now pay by DDSP. This represents just 21% of the Legion membership of 436,000.
• All new members should pay by DDSP. This has been Legion policy since 2005 but many branches ignore this ruling and refuse to comply.
Each year we lose around 18-20,000 members, the majority of whom fail to renew their membership. Payment by DDSP would reduce this annual loss considerably and could turn the loss into a gain. The National Branches have a DDSP membership of over 90% and lose less than 2% per year.
GIFT AID
146,500 members (34% of Legion members) now gift aid the affiliation fee. The Legion recovers £2.94 for each affiliation fee and represents a total additional income of £430,710. But we must encourage more and more members to 'tick the box' for gift aid.
The more members who sign up to gift aid, the longer the affiliation fee can stay at its present rate.
FUNDRAISING
We are in a slightly odd position as National Branches as we have no geographic area to cover, but I hope all branch committees encourage their members to contact their local branch with an offer to help.
Our District is important to the Legion, not just because of its sheer size, but because it offers an alternative model for Legion membership. For this reason, if for no other, the District must be successful. Our District Committee is working hard, but there remain communication difficulties between District and Branches - and it's not always the District at fault.
As last year I would be pleased to be invited to any Branch meeting or function and, if requested, address committees and/or members. I am also happy to take part in question and answer sessions.
ESTABLISHING A DISTRICT WEBSITE
Mr J Neal requested the committee to investigate the setting up of a District website. Mr M Foster agreed to give IT advice on the subject.
The President thanked the Chairman on his handling of the Conference and again thanked everyone for attending.
(Many thanks to Martin Foster for this report – Ed) |
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From The Editor
or any items of interest wanted
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WANTED
Dennis Underwood is looking for a copy of Hugh Skillen’s “Y Compendium (Histories of SWU in WW2.) This is out of print. If you have a copy you could sell or loan him, please let me know.
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e-Mail addresses Thanks to all who have contacted me to update their email addresses. We can now contact over half of our members electronically, and I will be emailing to remind them when this and future Newsletters are available to view on the web site. Please keep us up to date with any changes. John “Skip” Skipper, Jubilee Cottage 14, Norwich Rd, Honingham, Norfolk NR9 5BS
PLEASE NOTE MY NEW EMAIL ADDRESS
email : JohnASkipper@hotmail.co.uk
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WELCOME to a couple of newly recruited WW11 Veterans
A warm welcome to Mrs Peggy Holmes of Wallington, who has joined the Branch. Peggy was a WAAF W/Op at Cheadle and Chicksands during the early 40’s. She is also a member of RAFA and WAAFA.
Also to Mrs Daphne Brookes of Bournemouth, who was an ATS (Royal Signals) SWO in 1943/44. She is also a member of her local TRBL branch, and is trying to persuade Bletchley Park to give more recognition to the role of intercept groups.
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CRYPTOGRAM COMPETITION
Thanks to the half dozen who sent in answers to the competition in the last Newsletter – a truly underwhelming response!
Nevertheless, congrats to the winner, Roy Lee of Wilmslow, who has received a signed copy of Joan Nicholls’ book as a prize.
For those who found it too hard, the answer was :-
They shall grow not old as we who are left grow old. At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them.
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Terry Whittles reminded
me that these words are from a lovely poem “For The Fallen” by
Laurence Binyon.
With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children, England mourns for her dead across the sea. Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit, Fallen in the cause of the free.
Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres, There is music in the midst of desolation And a glory that shines upon our tears.
They went with songs to the battle, they were young, Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow. They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted; They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall not grow 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.
They mingle not with their laughing comrades again; They sit no more at familiar tables of home; They have no lot in our labour of the day-time; They sleep beyond England's foam.
But where our desires are and our hopes profound, Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight, To the innermost heart of their own land they are known As the stars are known to the Night;
As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust, Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain; As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness, To the end, to the end, they remain.
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