Minutes of the Toddington Branch of The Royal British Legion

Committee Meeting 19:30hrs

Tuesday 19^th May 2026

1. Present – Lee Stone, Lynda Bryant, Debbie Gibbons, Pippa Brazier, Graeme Kelly, John Wood, Bil Levinson, Melanie Parker, Glen Gadsden.

2. Apologies – None.

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 – 24^th February 2026

Proposed – Bil Levinson

Seconded – Glen Gadsden

 6. Matters Arising

There were no matters arising were discussed at the meeting.

7.  Deputy Chairmans Report & Correspondence

1.       On 5^th May, Bedford District emailed to ask if anyone would be interested in helping with arrangements for Armed Forces Day in Bedford. There would be a Teams meeting for anyone who would be interested. I shared that with the Committee on the same day.

2.       We should all have received the email from RBL Membership regarding ticketing information for the 2026 Festival of Remembrance.  Tickets will once again be allocated through a ballot to ensure all members have a fair chance to purchase tickets. The ballot opens on Wednesday 27^th May 2026 and closes on Wednesday 24^th June 2026.

3.      There is an Armed Forces Day Concert at All Saints Church, Leighton Buzzard on the evening of 20^th June.  The Bedfordshire Band of the Royal British Legion are playing.  Lynda has circulated details to all our members.

4.      The next Fireside Chat takes place on the 8^th June at 12.00pm – 1.30pm.  This is an online event talking to a member of the Armed Forces Community.  Episode 2: When the move to civilian life isn’t part of the plan!  In this episode, RBL’s Jon Summerson will sit down with Paul Findlay MBE, Chief Executive Officer of the Wembley Stadium Foundation.  A former soldier and leg amputee, Paul’s life and leadership have been shaped by his time in the army and an unexpected transition into civilian life.  In an honest and powerful conversation, Paul shares his real journey, from joining the army to being forced to leave following injuries sustained on operations in Afghanistan.  Together, Jon and Paul will explore the tough moments of service life, the realities of identity and loss when a military career ends before you’re ready and what it truly means to rebuild purpose when ‘the plan’ changes.

5.      Also:  Graeme has also created a poster for our Summer BBQ that has gone into the next copy of the Village Magazine. 

 The Lamp Light of Peace.  This was discussed in length but decided that a lamp wouldn’t be seen very well in daylight.  Also, that we could incorporate the Peace Prayer into our own service.

Pop up Banner.   This was discussed to use at the Fete, plus future events.  Also, regarding display boards, which at this time Graeme will use the ones Melanie has.  ACTION:  Lee / Graeme suggest designs and share with the Committee.

Branch Administration and Joining Fees.   It was decided that Toddington would not be adding an administration fee to the membership subscription for 2026/2027.

8.  Future Events 

20th June - Summer Fete.  Branch Stand alongside the Poppy Appeal stand. Also, a board to display RBL Literature to encourage new Members and perhaps pop-up banners.

Volunteers to run this will include – Graeme, Bil, Lee, John & Lynda – rota in that order from 11am to 4pm.

Summer BBQ and Treasure Hunt will be held on Sunday 28^th June, at the Toddington Social Club. Price to be £5 per adult with children 15 and under Free.  Members, friends, family, members of the public welcome.  Food proposed is Burgers, Sausages, Salad and coleslaw.    Timings 12.30pm – 4.30pm, which includes a period for the Treasure Hunt (for those wishing to do it).  We’ll also have background music playing.

Also discussed is to have a Raffle at this event to include the blanket/throw donated from Pat Chittleburgh.  Committee members asked for donations please.  ACTION:  Lee to send out a more detailed plan to the Committee.

12^th July – Wingfield Car Show.

24^th October – RBL Coffee Morning.

8^th November – Remembrance Sunday.

11^th November – Armistice Day.

28^th November - AGM

All these events to be discussed at our future meetings.

9.   Reports 

9.1 Poppy Appeal Update – Melanie Parker 

No recent changes to the local poppy appeal figures. 

9.2 Treasurer – Debbie Gibbons

9.3 Membership Secretaries Report – Bil Levinson 

From the latest membership list on 16^th May 2026, we have 56 members.   We have had one member of 83 who has failed to rejoin and one member that has re-joined.  (Due to my gentle reminder!)

9.4 Branch Website Report

Umbraco, the membership website has been fixed, and I am now able to enter data.  I have updated the website with the latest minutes. 

9.5 Standard Bearer – Pippa Brazier 

I attended the funeral of James Daniel on 5^th May at Crownhill Crematorium, Milton Keynes.

Future events I shall be attending are – 22^nd May the end of Operation Telic in Leighton Buzzard carrying the County Standard.   24^th May a Service at the Ace Café, London.

9.6 Branch Community Support – Lee Stone 

I had received an email via John from a lady who used to be connected with our Branch and used to be a Poppy Appeal collector in Toddington.  She asked if we could help a gentleman living in Ridgemont who was about to become homeless, who she thought was a veteran.  I contacted the RBL’s dedicated care team with his details, having been given permission by him to do so.  They opened a case for him and were waiting him to get in contact, which would have been the fastest and most efficient way for him to get help.  However, prior to the meeting, I received an update from the lady who referred him to us to inform me that he did not wish to receive any assistance from the British Legion, and that they appreciated the time spent liaising with them.

9.7 Branch Facebook Page – Graeme Kelly 

Followers have stayed at 30 at the time of this report.

We have added to our Facebook page 4 events – Coffee Morning, Remembrance Sunday, Armistice Day and Committee Meeting to help0 promote what is to come from us.

We have continued to post Remembered with Honour but have also added events that our standard bearer has attended for Central Bedfordshire Civic Service in Caddington and the upcoming Armed Forces Day concert in Leighton Buzzard the Bedfordshire Band of the RBL is running.

On Wednesday 20^th May our poster for the village Fete will post and we will continue to share, like the repost Village Fete event postings.

Views from non-followers have increased and total view at this time is around 1.4k.  Interactions on these postings has also increased.

Altogether the page has stayed steady.

10.  Any other Business.

Tom Chevalier sent a note and table regarding the schedule for the flags to be flown from the church, to see if we had any comments or suggestions.  Dates to consider are Armed Forces Week and the Faulklands 45^th Anniversary in 2027.  ACTION:  Lee to respond to Tom.

11.  Next Meeting 

The next meeting will be at 19:30hrs on Tuesday 16^th June 2026. 

If any member would like to attend a committee meeting, please contact Lee Stone or Lynda Bryant and we can send you the details.

The meeting was closed at 21.10 hrs.