Minutes of the Toddington Branch of The Royal British Legion
Committee Meeting 7.30.p.m. on
Tuesday 18th July 2023
1. Present
Kelly Grumoli, Pippa Brazier, Debbie Gibbons, Nigel Washington, Graeme Kelly, John Wood, Shaun Prior
2. Apologies
Bill Levinson, Melanie Parker, Linda Washington, Glen Gadsden, Lee Stone
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 16th May 2023
The minutes were read and agreed to be a true report of the last full committee meeting.
Proposed – Pippa Brazier
Seconded – Graeme Kelly
6. Chairman’s Report.
Village Fete.
The Village fete on the 24th June was very well attended, with our stalls doing well, the takings from the Raffle and the Merchandise stalls are in Melanie’s Poppy appeal report.
Memorial Bench.
The artwork for John Bryant’s memorial bench has now been sent off to the manufacturers, and we are now just waiting for the proofs of the designs to come back for approval before the bench is the produced. All committee members that attended are in favour of the font and words.
New Remembrance service Booklets.
We continue to work on editing the new Remembrance Service booklets, we had a working meeting on the 11th July and it was decided to move the hymn “Abide With Me” to be the first hymn in the service, to take out “All People That on Earth Do Dwell” and replace it with “O Valiant Heart” and we decided to add a third Hymn “I Vow To Thee My Country”. We have moved the Wreath laying and have added the second verse of the National Anthem as part of the service, we have also asked Rector Linda Washington to proofread the readings and prayers in the service to ensure that they are all correct. I have typed out the new order of service and will send this out to all committee members for final approval before we engage the printers.
New Branch Union Flag.
Our new union flag has arrived, and we will be having this Dedicated at a service at St Georges, we will notify you all the date when we have it.
7, Reports
We Currently have no members that require any welfare assistance.
- Treasurer – Debbie Gibbons
|
BFI as at 30-Jun-22
|
56.95
|
|
Current Account
|
2,802.31
|
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Petty Cash
|
0.00
|
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BFI Sept - Jun 23
|
0.84
|
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Balance 30JUN 2023
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£2,860.10
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Closing accounts have been all agreed by the Committee.
- Poppy Appeal Report – Melanie Parker
With the Village Fete celebrations all proceeds went to the Poppy appeal as follows:
- Raffle - £158
- Merchandise – £72.66
- Assault Course – £37.70
Making our overall total £40,262.04
- Membership Secretaries Report – Bil Levinson
There are 58 current members. Kelly is still not showing on the membership list.
The June minutes have been loaded onto the website.
Standard Bearer – Pippa Brazier
Our Standard Bearer, Pippa Brazier, continues to go to various Funerals, events, and parades that she is requested to attend, the most recent of these since the last meeting are set out below.
26th June 2023 Armed Forces Day, Flag Raising Parade at Bedford, with the Mayor of Bedford.
07th July 2023 Funeral of Corporal Colin Hill at Bierton
14th July 2023 Funeral of Royston Johnson (MK)
15th July 2023 Belgian Parade at Cenotaph
8. 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.
- County Bulletin 9 - * Membership Application Form
*Membership Forum Q&A from Annual Conference 2023
9. Future Events – Memorable Dates
Toddington RBL Coffee Morning,
10 - 12pm Saturday, 28th October 2023
Armistice Day 11th November 2023
Armistice Day Service 11am Toddington Village Green.
Remembrance Service and Parade 12th November 2023
From 10:30am Toddington Village Green.
10. Any Other Business.
Gazebo Hire.
Kelly to look over and finalise the loan agreement.
11. Next Meeting
The next meeting will be at 19:30 on Tuesday 19th September 2023 and will be in the top bar of the Social & Services Club, High Street Toddington.
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 8:40 pm
