Minutes of the Toddington Branch of The Royal British Legion

Committee Meeting 19:30hrs

Tuesday 18^th February 2025

1. Present

Lee Stone, Lynda Bryant, Pippa Brazier, Debbie Gibbons, Graeme Kelly, Bil Levinson, Nigel Washington, Linda Washington, Kelly Grumoli

2. Apologies 

Glen Gadsden, John Wood

3. Silent Tribute.

4. Exhortation

They shall grow not 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.

5. Previous Meeting – Committee Meeting 17^th September 2024

The minutes were read and agreed to be a true report of the last full committee meeting. 

Proposed – Bil Levinson

Seconded – Lynda Bryant

6. Chairmans Report

There was no Chairman’s report due to our chairman currently being of poor health.  Our Vice chairman kindly gave us an update of his wellbeing and we all hope to have him back soon.

7. Correspondence

All items of correspondence are now sent out via email to the committee members prior to the meeting taking place, so that they can be read beforehand and discussed as necessary during the meeting. If any member would like a copy of any correspondence item, please contact John Wood or Kelly Grumoli (details at the top of these minutes) and we will get copies to you.

8. Reports

8.1 Treasurer – Debbie Gibbons 

8.2 Poppy Appeal Update – Melanie Parker

No update.  However the figures as of our last meeting (AGM) in November 2024 is as follows:-

The 2023 – 2024 Toddington Poppy Appeal ended 31^st September 2024 and raised £14,781.49

 8.3 Membership Secretaries Report – Bil Levinson 

There are currently 57 members. Checking the address of one of the members. (Some of the mailshots go to the wrong address!). One member who pays by direct debit seems to no longer be member.

Web Site Report

February site up to date.

8.4 Standard Bearer – Pippa Brazier

29^th November 2024 – Funeral at Aylesbury Vale Crematorium

• 6^th December 2024 – Funeral at Luton Crematorium
• 15^th December 2024 – Parade at St John’s Aldenham
• 16^th January 2025 – Funeral at St Mary’s Oakley for Group Captain Brian Hunter
• 16^th February 2025 – Final service for Rev Linda Washington (11am & 3pm)

• Support Officer

BSC Training – No requests for assistance have been received, however a member of our community is going to be checked upon.  Annual refresher training has been completed.

9. Future Events – Memorable Dates

• 8th May (Thursday) – VE Day Commemoration and Beacon Lighting.
• 9:00am - Raising of the VE flag at St George’s Church of England Tower – The committee were all in favour of purchasing a VE Day flag
• 9:00pm – 9:30pm - Short Prayer Service and the lighting of the beacon on our Village Green
• We will have a display in Toddington Library Window from 3rd-10th May
• 10^th May (Saturday) – VE Day Commemoration Celebration Evening
  • 6:30pm-9:00pm – Live Music, Food, RBL Raffle, Poppy Appeal Merchandise Stall and Beacon Lighting
• 21^st June (Saturday) – Toddington Village Fete
• 13^th July (Sunday) – Wingfield Car Show
• 15^th August (Friday) – VJ Day Commemoration and Beacon Lighting
• 25^th October (Saturday) – RBL Coffee Morning – Toddington Methodist Hall.
• 9^th November (Sunday) – Remembrance Sunday
• 11^th November (Tuesday) – Armistice Day

10. Any other Business.

• Gazebo – It was discussed that the committee is in full agreement that a 3^rd gazebo shall be purchased. Glen and Lee to visit the supplier to discuss requirements.  It was also discussed that we will be removing the gazebos from their current “Temporary” storage place and placed in their permanent home.
• Medical Cover cost for Remembrance Sunday and other RBL run events – We have agreed we will investigate alternative suppliers for medical cover

11. Next Meeting

The next meeting will be at 19:30hrs on Tuesday 18^th March 2025

If any member would like to attend a committee meeting, please contact John Wood or Kelly Grumoli and we can send you the details.

The meeting was closed at 21:00 hrs.