Branch Open Evening - Awards
Presentation of County certificate to Mr Cecil Deller by Cambridgeshire County President Col (Ret’d) R Herriot OBE DL
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A Normandy Veteran, Cecil joined the Royal British Legion, Alconbury Branch, in 1946 soon after being demobbed. He immediately assumed a role on the Committee and was instrumental in ensuring that the Branch grew from an initial membership of nine. Cecil continued to be an active member of the Branch until its amalgamation with the Great Stukeley Branch in 1973. Cecil joined the Great Stukeley Branch and continued to be an active member of the then Great Stukeley & Alconbury Branch, eventually assuming the role of Branch President. With the closure of the Great Stukeley & Alconbury Branch, Cecil then found himself a member of the Brampton & District Branch. Cecil continued, and continues to this day, to be an active member of the Branch Committee, regularly attending meetings and supporting events for both fund raising and attracting new members. He is always willing to engage with people, young and old, and his keen sense of humour and humility when relating his service stories keeps them interested and wanting them to find out more, not only about his experiences but also the Royal British Legion.
Cecil has also been actively engaged with the Poppy Appeal, working as a Poppy Appeal Organiser at both Alconbury and Great Stukeley covering an area of seven villages. This work has been honoured with Cecil receiving numerous accolades and letters of recognition for his collection work.
Presentation of County certificate to Mr Michael Forsdick by Cambridgeshire County President Col (Ret’d) R Herriot OBE DL
Mick has been a member of the RBL for many years and the branch Chairman of Brampton and District for the past 4 years. at the time of taking over, the branch was failing and very close to closing or amalgamating with the Huntingdon branch. He took over the branch with vigour and determination, and has done everything possible to not allow this to happen. He set out to gain more active members and committee members to take the branch forward into the 21st centaury with its approach and technology capabilities. Since he has taken over the branch has grown substantially, especially with active members.
Mick has been the driving force for many projects, such as, a branch shed, a permanent branch home (hare on the green ph.), a branch touch screen 70 inch tv and stand, regular branch open evenings and organised trips (open to none members ) and a NAAFI break breakfast club once a month.
The branch now has monthly meetings with over 20 in attendance and a social gathering and drink afterwards. the branch is now in a very healthy position with regular new members joining and attending. this is down to micks tenacity, drive and determination to achieve his vision and plan of longevity and a strong branch.
Mick has also strived to make connections with the local community, by working with the parish councils and attending local village fetes in the branch area. via his advertising and on line work we have had many non members attend our events and the Brampton and district branch is now seen to be part of the local villages it covers, heart and identity.
