EVENTS & NEWS
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
Welcome To Our New President
Brig. P A D Evans O.B.E DL BSc (Hons)
To all members of the RBL Camberley Branch and to all colleagues’ friends and associates on behalf of the committee it is my privilege and great honour to be able to announce the appointment of our new President for our Branch. Brig. P A D Evans O.B.E DL BSc (Hons). Paul has been a member of the branch for some 15 years. I hope you will all join me in welcoming Paul who has accepted to become our new President. This is very important for the Branch and a great Honour for us to have Paul as our figurehead.
We will be holding a ‘Meet our President night’ at our next Members Night to be held on the Thursday 12th March at Corinna Lodge Care Home, in The Avenue, Camberley. This will give members a chance to meet Paul. Representatives from our Affiliated Cadet Units and invited guests will also be welcome to attend. Patrick T Mathe RBL Camberley Branch Chairman.
WE ARE VERY PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO ANNOUNCE THE APPOINTMENT OF OUR NEW CHAPLAIN FOR THE RBL CAMBERLEY BRANCH
Farewell To Reverend Mike Thomason
Reverend Mike Thomason our President, veteran member and Branch Chaplain, is leaving us to take up a new post in the North of England where he will be taking on the role of managing the diocese around the Manchester area. Mike who was a major player in the Branch and helped with restabilising the Branch within the local community, will be sadly missed by us all. We wish Mike every success for the future for him and his family. Thank you for all you have done for the Camberley Branch
A HAPPY NEW YEAR IN 2026
SOME OF OUR KEY OBJECTIVES FOR 2026
- BECOME ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN BRANCH COMMUNITY SUPPORT WITH A NEW SUB COMMITTEE FORMED AND TRAINED TO OVERSEE LOCAL SUPPORT FOR VETERANS WHO NEED OUR HELP
- BRANCH TO JOIN IN TO SUPPORT THE RBL INVICTUS GAMES AND TO RAISE FUNDS FOR VETERAN COMPETITORS
- MORE LOCALISED EVENTS IN OUTLYING AREAS OF OUR BRANCH RESPONSIBILITY IN FRIMLEY AND BAGSHOT
- MORE YOUTH ACTIVITY WITH LOCAL YOUTH ORGANISATIONS & LOCAL SCHOOLS
NEWS OF THESE OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES WILL BE PUBLISHED SHORTLY
THE RBL CAMBERLEY BRANCH BECAME AFFILIATED WITH CAMBERLEY SEA CADETS UNIT WHICH TOOK PLACE ON 12th DEC AT KINGS COLLEGE IN CAMBERLEY
THIS WAS A SPECIAL OCCASION. THE CERTIFICATE AND AWARD WERE PRESENTED BY PATRICK MATHE OUR BRANCH CHAIRMAN TO DEBBIE FARR THE COMMANDER OF THE CADET UNIT AT THEIR PRIZE GIVING EVENING IN THE PRESENCE OF THE TOWN MAYOR COUNCILOR LOUISE ASHBERY AND PARENTS OF THE CADETS. THE AFFILIATION ALLOWS THE TWO ORGANISATIONS TO WORK TOGETHER FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY. PATRICK THANKED THE SEA CADETS AND THE OFFICERS FOR ALL THEIR HARD WORK GIVEN THIS YEAR TO THE BRANCH AND THEIR ATTENDANCE AT ALL THE VARIOUS EVENTS WHICH HAVE TAKEN PLACE. THIS WAS WELL DESERVED.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS
REMEMBRANCE
SUNDAY 9TH NOVEMBER
SUNDAY 9TH NOVEMBER
MEMORIAL BENCHES UNVEILING & BLESSING WITH THE TOWN MAYOR
At High Cross Church in Camberley Town
The Royal British Legion Camberley Branch presented 4 memorial benches in memory of all those who had served in all conflicts and are serving now. Two of the memorial Benches were dedicated to Derick Franklin our former long serving President and David Kemp MBE our former Chairman. One bench was presented by our Gurkha member brothers' and sisters' for all Gurkhas who have served and are serving and the last bench was for all those who have served in all conflicts as Doctors, Medics, Nurses, Intelligence, Air and Sea rescue very often overlooked and all who save lives and keep us safe. Below see pictures provided by our friend Alan Meeks.
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POPPY APPEAL 2025 CONCERT
LAUNCH DAY
SEE YOU IN THE TOWN SQUARE
VJ DAY 15TH /16TH /17TH AUGUST
VJ DINNER NIGHT AT CAMBERLEY HEIGHTS
On Saturday the 17th of August in The Town Centre R B L Camberley Branch were joined by The Gurkha Members of the branch and the Nepalis community during the Day. In their wonderful traditional and colourful outfits, they performed to music with dancing to the delight of the town which was wonderful to watch. It was an honour to be with them and to be able to celebrate together to mark V J Day 80 when our brave forces combined across the commonwealth in the Asia - Pacific conflict to secure victory and win our freedom that we all have today.
15th August Flag raising event on
V J Day 80
Members of The Committee of R B L Camberley Branch attended The Flag Raising Event in The Morning of the 15th August to mark V J Day 80 by invitation of The Mayor Coucillor Louise Ashbery at Surrey Heath House in Camberley, in attendance were The RMAS and othe Dignitaries and Members and Veterans from the Gurkhas.
ARMED FORCES DAY TOWN CENTRE SATURDAY 21ST JUNE 10.00AM -4PM COME AND JOIN US
VE DAY 80 A WEEK OF ACTIVITY
THE START ON THE 8TH MAY WE ATTENDED A FLAG RAISING EVENT IN THE TOWN CENTER WITH DIGNITORIES INCLUDINGCOUNCILLOR SARBIE KANG MAYOR OF CAMBERLEY.
The Epitaph was read by Camberley Branch Chairman Patrick T Mathe and for the first time we used our New Union Standard
Saturday 10th May Town Celebrations
We set up our display opposite the Primark entrance in the town square our main collection during the day was for our memorial benches appeal. Primark were also raising funds for us, with the staff making home made cakes and selling them they collected and donated £70 a wonderful result we want to thank them for all their hard work. During the Day the Sea Cadets Joined with us to help with our setting up and with collections throughout the day. They were fantastic. We also had entertainment provided by a wonderful choir who sang songs, they were magnificent, and we thank them. The Choir was run by Clare Lynskey.
The end result was astonishing we raised nearly £500 during the day.
VE Day 80 'The Big Dinner' 10th May a Very Special Night To Remember
First of all our very Special Guest of Honour Aged 101
Beryl May Thornton WRNS
Beryl Served in The WRNS 1942 in Ceylon throughout the 2nd World war. She started in Government Code and Cypher School and HMS Cochran11 in Scotland then HMS Otranto in Ceylon.
Our Thanks go to Avery Collection and Camberley Heights for Hosting our Dinner.
This was always going to be the highlight of the week, we new we could host 50 Guests and was sold out very quickly. Our Guests for the night included Councillor Sarbie Kang Mayor of Camberley and The Rt. Hon Al Pinkerton MP who is also a member of RBL Camberley Branch, The Sea Cadets Camberley Unit, Mr Tom Philbrook from The Men's Shed in Camberley.
There was a definite Navel theme to evenings proceedings which will become obvious as you read on. We also had other guests with us including Pat Tedder RBL Surrey County Representative of the women's Section. There was an excellent meal provided. After the dinner Patrick Mathe Chairman welcomed everyone and introduced the first guest Beryl Thornton's son who spoke about his mother's service and read out a poem. Patrick introduced the mayor and requested we welcome the Officers and Sea cadets and Mr Tom Philbrook, they were formally piped in together with their standard. Patrick then described the details of a ship called 'HMS Camberley' the only ship to have ever be named after the town . The Mayor was then asked to unveil the restored Ships Bell which was presented to all the members and guests. The Bell will be displayed in the Foyer of the care home so people can see it. The Bell had a new wooden made mount, made by 'the Men's Shed'. The inscription on the Bell reads for 'The town for the Country and for our freedom'. Next on the Agenda was the presentation of the Branch's 100 year Pennant which was 4 years late in coming because of the Covid pandemic in 2021. RBL Camberley Branch is the oldest Branch in Surrey Heath and was formed in the same year as the RBL itself. The Pennant was presented to the Branch by AL Pinkerton MP. Then Patrick gave a brief talk and the evening was finished with a brief talk by Al Pinkerton MP. The was an auction which raised £200 and a donation was given for the Memorial Benches Appeal by The Camberley Bowls Club £230. A truly memorable night.
NEWS REPORT
RBL CAMBERLEY BRANCH HELD OUR RELAUNCH / RECEPTION DAY 8TH MARCH
This was a very special day for the Branch to celebrate with our members and guest's our first major event in our New home, based at Camberley Heights Care home in the Camberley Town Centre. All members had been contacted and invited to attend. This was the first time our members and guests including residents many of whom are veterans were able to meet together for a number of years. We were pleased to welcome The Mayor, Councillor Sarbie Kang who said a few words and Al Pinkerton MP we also had two special guests, long time members Pauline Kemp and Barbara Franklin. Branch Chairman Patrick Mathe thanked all the guests and members for coming and spoke about the events coming up throughout this year and the plans and objectives for the Branch looking forward. There were more than 50 signed in guests. Entertainment was provided and a buffet and special thanks go to Avery for making all this possible. We believe we signed up to 10 new members which is a fantastic result .
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RBL CAMBERLEY BRANCH LAUNCHES MEMORIAL BENCHES APPEAL
Branch Chairman Patrick Mathe announced at the Relaunch Day a new Appeal to raise funds for two memorial benches to be located at High Cross Church in Camberley Town Centre hopefully in time for Remembrance Day in November 2025. The Benches will commemorate WW1 and WW2 as part of VE day celebrations. Each Bench will also commemorate two of our members our passed President and Chairman with nameplates Mr Derek Franklin and Mr David Kemp MBE. The Appeal raised a staggering £300 at the Branch Relaunch day. Please give Generously where you see the Blue Buckets or contact us on 07860 239376. Thank you.
OUR NEW HOME AT 'CAMBERLEY HEIGHTS CARE HOME' IN CAMBERLEY IS OPEN FOR OUR MEMBERS TO MEET ONCE EVERY MONTH
Next Members Night Speaker Night
OTHER NEWS
We are still looking for a Treasurer to join the Branch committee. This is an important position for us to fill, so any volunteers please come forward and let us know.
We currently have have 130 members, and 34 new members have joined us since January which is very good news. New members are always welcome to come and join us whether you have served in the armed services or you just feel that you want to volunteer to help us. Young or old you would be welcome to join us.
Surrey Heath Borough Council together with RBL Camberley Branch are holding more 'Veterans Hub' Breakfast's at Café Bistro GU15 3XD Every 2nd Saturday of the month
POPPY CONCERT
Our very popular annual 'Poppy Concert' featuring the fabulous 'Surrey Police Band' will be held on Friday evening on the 31st October. This year it will be held in the Camberley Town Centre, at the new venue this year, which is at High Cross Church.
The poppy appeal will take place as normal in 2025, as will Remembrance Sunday service and Parade to the Memorial. More details to follow.
Thank You for Your Membership
and Your support for Our Camberley
Branch.
