A YEAR IN LOCKDOWN
It seems an eternity since Boris announced the first lockdown away back in March 2020 and there cannot be a soul throughout the Realm that has not been affected by all the restrictions that have been put upon us since then. The luckiest chap must be the solitary English cricket supporter who decided to stay in Sri Lanka and wait for the Test Match to come to him!
For those of us in the beautiful little market Town that is Nailsworth, life has continued to move at a slightly slower pace – but I’m not sure if that is due to lockdown or age! In the time since the first hibernation we have managed, like many others, to commemorate VJ Day, VE Day and Armistice Day. And thanks to a very kind member of the Cheltenham Branch, whose knowledge of the Membership Administration Portal is far better than mine, I have now found out that our local Branch was formed on 5 August 1921 thus making us a Centenary Branch – one I believe of only 5 in the County!
Anyway to the last 12 months. The Chairman took on board all the Nationwide advice given by the RBL in terms of making and keeping contact with Branch members throughout the year – it has become a Tuesday ritual and has covered everything from initial concern, to family support through bubbles, to helping with meals being handed out (by our President – Mr Tony Evans), to a pleasant Summer out of lockdown, to a worrying rise of coronavirus cases in early Autumn, to hope and then despair at Christmas, to New Year lockdown (number 3) and eventually to hope and the vaccination. Every member of the Branch has their own little tale to tell. Like many others we have said goodbye to members who have gone to the FRV without having had the opportunity to bid a proper farewell to them. We will try and rectify that in late Spring.
In May 2020 we celebrated VE Day. It started with a socially distanced laying of wreaths at the War Memorial. It was then followed by visits to the Steppes Residential Home, the Winslow House Retirement Home, Hannover Gardens and the Concord Housing complex where live music was performed, including tributes to Dame Vera Lyn, and melodies of well WW1 and WW2 songs. Cakes were supplied to residents and the sun shone to give everyone the National feel good factor that permeated through the UK at the time.
The Chairman and his wife in their “Union” rig joining in the Music thanks to Des and Carol Cox
The Branch lost a long serving stalwart in July with the passing of Tony Clark. Tony was instrumental in revamping the Branch in 1978 and was the Secretary for some 25 years. He will be sorely missed by us all.
VJ Day. Whilst the Nation celebrated the 75th Anniversary at the National Arboretum in Arlewas, Staffordshire on the 15th August both the Town Council and the local Royal British Legion branch took the opportunity to remember the historic event at the War Memorial in Nailsworth.
The Last Post was sounded at 1058 hrs and was followed by a 2 minute silence before the Deputy Mayor, Mike Kelly, laid a wreath on behalf of the Town Council. The Chairman of the Branch, Tim Godden, laid a second wreath on behalf of the RBL and then the Rev’d Caroline Bland then said prayers and gave a Blessing. The simple, yet moving event, finished with the Branch President Tony Evans sounding a “National Cry”. Music was supplied by Des Cox and the Standard carried by Ian Maller.
NAILSWORTH REMEMBERS
Despite the current restraints on us all it was very humbling to note that so many people took the effort to log into the Remembrance (zoom) Service held in St George’s on Sun 8 Nov 20. The Rev Caroline conducted affairs with the Church being restricted to some of those with speaking/singing parts. A warm gratitude was extended to RBL Secretary, Alan Johnson, for reading the names of the Fallen, Lizzie Shale for reading the lesson, and Megan Strachan who sang beautifully during the Service. The local Fire Station paid its respects at 1100 hrs laying a wreath at the War Memorial. A further wreath was laid on behalf of our local MP, Siobahn Baillie, on 10 Nov 20.
On 11 Nov 20, as the Nation fell silent, Nailsworth observed its Remembrance tribute with wreaths being laid on behalf of the County, District and Town Councils. The Guides, Scouts and Sir William Romney’s also had wreaths laid on their behalf.
RBL Standard Bearer, Ian Maller, lowering the Standard as the Last Post is played by Debbie McDougall from the Nailsworth Silver Band
The Mayor, Councillor Jonathan Duckworth, laying his wreath on behalf of the Town Council.
Community Coordinator Lynn Pugh keeping the RBL President and Chairman on the straight and narrow!!
Other individuals to whom we are indebted are Margaret Marshall, Howard Price, Mike Weager, Jane Luff and the Women’s Institute for their efforts in ensuring that the Town was so beautifully adorned in Poppies, at Christ Church, St George’s Church, The Clock Tower (and the tree!!) and the War Memorial. A total of £5747.98 was raised for this year’s Appeal. Thank you all.
And despite our best efforts we didn’t get any Christmas cake!!!
The Branch, as with so many others, will look back on the past 12 months with pride, thanks and a sense of achievement but the most important thing we can all do is look forward and make the rest of this year a happy, jolly and positive one for everybody!!
Tim Godden
Chairman
Forest Green & Nailsworth RBL
vivian.godden@btinternet.com
