poppy field

Basingstoke, Overton & District Branch

NEWS & EVENTS

Next Branch Meeting

 

TBC

 

News from the Region

The Link County Newsletter 

Latest (Jun 2026) Edition HERE

For older editions, please visit the

Hampshire County Webpage

 

 

 

 

LOCAL (Non-RBL) EVENTS

(links to events / pages)

Every Monday

Basingstoke Veterans' Club

Coffee Morning:
Carnival Hall
Council Rd
Basingstoke
RG21 3 DH

10:30 until 12:30

Check Facebook for confirmation

 

 

 

Sunday 21st June 2026

09.30 - 12.00

Veteran’s Breakfast
Spruce Goose, Basingstoke Leisure Park

Veterans of all Services are again meeting over breakfast organised by the Basingstoke Veterans Club.  Breakfast will be served in the Bar Area which has been reserved for the event. Note: the bar will not be open during breakfast.

As our area has been reserved, please do not join the queue waiting for a table

Spruce Goose menu prices will charged but, at £10.99, the ‘Unlimited Breakfast’ offers VFM, especially for those with a big appetite.

Why not join us?

 Monday 22nd June 2026

10am

 

AFD Raising the Flag

Details via THIS LINK

 

 

Member News Updates

Member e letter  - May 2026

Latest Central News  - June 2026

Awards at Annual Conference 2026

This years annual conference proved to be quite successful for our Branch and our County.  We picked up or shared in 3 awards.
Membership Training Award
Winner: John Davies, Hampshire County
Awarded for showing excellence in their capacity to deliver learning that makes a real difference to members

Poppy Appeal Award
Runners-up
2nd: Hampshire County
Awarded to the County with the highest per capita fundraising for the Poppy Appeal

Sir Clive Johnstone Award
Winner: County Training Officers
Awarded to to individuals, groups, or teams from across RBL (volunteers, members of staff) who seek to create, repair or improve unity across RBL

Conference Motions

At our meeting, we discussed and agreed the line to take by our delegate at Conference.  Here is the outcome of the motions that were debated.  Motion 1 failed to achieve the required majority.  All of the others passed.

Motion 1. 
This conference requests that the Ceremonial Working Group consider abolishing the 
procedure of wearing a disassembled Poppy behind the RBL cap badge for Standard Bearers 
and Parade Marshals. 

Motion 2.  The Mawdesley RBL Branch requests that the Board of Trustees canvas the Prime 
Minister and HM Government to make good on a pre-election pledge to support Veterans, 
and their dependents, who during the nuclear testing programme during the 1950's were exposed to high levels of nuclear radiation, and have suffered health problems because of this..
Motion 3. This conference requests that the membership handbook is updated to reflect the 
need for all County, Branch officers and committee members complete the necessary training 
which is considered essential to ensure that they understand the workings of a branch and 
how do manage their role within the branch. The MS1 should be amended to contain a signed 
declaration to that effect.
Motion 4. This conference asks the Royal British Legion to introduce a National Award for individuals who are not members of the RBL family, to recognise exceptional work that actively supports the work of the legion.
Motion 5.  This Conference requests that the Royal British Legion amend the Ceremonial 
Handbook and associated policy to require all Standard Bearers to undertake a mandatory 
Standard Bearer training session annually.
Motion 6. This Conference proposes that the Legion undertakes a review of its procurement 
policy to explore opportunities for sourcing its merchandise within the UK or Commonwealth.
RBL response to President Trump’s Comments

Following President Trump’s recent comments on NATO troops in Afghanistan, the Royal British Legion has issued the following statement across all our media channels. Director General, Mark Atkinson, said:
The service and sacrifice of British personnel in Afghanistan cannot be called into question, and we condemn any comments that undermine their extraordinary contribution. 457 British personnel lost their lives in Afghanistan and thousands more and their families now live with the lifelong physical and mental impact from service in that conflict.
‘The dedication and sacrifices of the men and women in the British Armed Forces from the UK, Commonwealth, and beyond, to protect our freedoms and support our allies deserves our deep and ongoing respect and gratitude.
‘Our nation’s support for our Armed Forces is never in doubt. The Royal British Legion through our ongoing work to recognise, remember, and support the Armed Forces community, ensures that their unique contribution is not forgotten. This recognition is shared across communities, cultures, and faiths.’
This statement may be shared with your members. If anyone has been affected by current events in the news, we are here to help on 0808 8028080, 7 days per week between 08.00-20.00.

Membership Fees 

At the Annual Conference at Newport in 2024, it was agreed to increase membership fees by £2 per year for 5 years.

Consequently, in September 2024, the membership fee increased to £20 and will continue to rise each year until 2028 when the fee should reach £28 pa.

This means that from the 4th of September 26, new members and those renewing will be charged £24

You will be aware that, your Branch also levies a fee which is added to your membership fee and then paid into the Branch account.  As we went into County Support, we felt it was unfair to levy a Branch fee.  One of the last actions of your committee was to remove the levy.  We may reinstate it if the Branch regains full status.

New Member Branch Guide

The following link will open the New Member Branch Guide. This will outline what it means to be a member of the RBL.  Please consult this guide and if you have any feedback please send it to Malcolm Brunsdon who is responsible for membership issues at [email protected]  

New Member Branch Guide

 

BCS Update

Find out about becoming a Branch Community Supporter HERE

 

Direct Debit Payments for Membership Renewals

Members are encouraged to renew by Direct Debit to ensure continuation of their membership

We are aware that there has been reported instances of membership not being renewed despite having a DD.  Should this happen please contact either PoC and we will assist, .