Royal British Legion Ashwell & District Branch Chairman’s Report 2024/2025
It has been a busy year for us in the Branch. Last year, we held our usual Poppy Appeal collections at points along the High Street and at Carters Pond on the three Saturdays before Remembrance Sunday. The service on Remembrance Sunday was held at our URC Church led by the Minister Revd Stan followed by the Act of Remembrance led by the Rector Revd Chris Campbell at the village War Memorial. It was good to have the Uniformed groups joining in both the service and the Remembrance. Many gathered with us to take part in the laying of wreaths and the Silence as we honoured those and named from this village who died. Thank you to all who took part. It is so important that even though we don’t personally know the people whose names are inscribed on the Memorial and read out at the ceremony that we still remember them and the sacrifice they made to win the gift of peace.
The work of the Committee continued throughout the year – meetings were held on occasions, and the year ends with our AGM today.
Our Branch membership stands at 49.
We were sad to hear of the death of Mr Edward White at the end of last year – Edward was a member of the Branch and supported our work and fund raising. Mrs Mollie Aldridge died during the year. Mollie was a lovely lady and resident of Ashwell and she always supported the work of our branch. May they rest in peace.
Significantly this year saw the 80th Anniversaries of both VE and VJ days. A wreath was laid on May 8th VE Day itself, and Aug 15th VJ Day. The ceremonies were led by Revd Chris Campbell and Revd Stan
The work of the Committee focussed on the various fund-raising events through the year. These were Coffee Mornings on May 3rd and August 16th commemorating VE and VJ Days respectively.
My thanks to all members of the Branch Committee for the huge amount of work they do to make the Branch such a success – their ongoing support and organising of events is very much appreciated. For small village community we do very well when compared to Branches in larger towns in the County. My especial thanks to our Officers, our Treasurer, Rita Lewis, and our Poppy Appeal Organisers, Sharon Dawson and Paul Miller, our Secretary Katie Cripps, and our Vice Chairman & Membership Officer Andrew Gillborn for their unstinting commitment in supporting the work of our Branch.
Our thanks also go to Chris Pack who raises the Union Flag when needed.
Thank you too to Craig Langford who looks after the War Memorial and always makes sure that the grass is cut and plants are kept fresh and beautiful – a fitting tribute to all we remember.
Finally, a huge thank you to those who volunteer through the year to collect for the Poppy Appeal at various points in the village, as well as supporting the coffee mornings and fund raising events we hold. We always welcome new volunteers who offer to take part in our activities and if you would like to help please get in touch.
Revd Canon Lindsay Dew (Chairman)
‘In honour of those who fought, in memory of those who fell’
