Quarter 2 News - April

April 2021

A big thank you goes to Reg Bond from Warkworth and Amble District Branch for providing the top pictures to be included used as Website header. This month the Website header is a compilation from Finchale Priory. All other photographs have been submitted by members and used 2020 as Website Headers.

Unfortunately at the moment most of our news is around the COVID-19 pandemic as such we have set up a dedicated page to keep members informed please also visit our dedicated page for remembrance 2020.

27th April 2021

Open University (OU) Disabled Veterans’ Scholarship Fund

Applications have just opened for the 2021 Open University (OU) Disabled Veterans’ Scholarship Fund. This generous fund will provide scholarships for up to 50 disabled veterans to build on their unique military skills and experiences by studying at undergraduate or postgraduate level for free.

The OU has awarded 160 such scholarships so far, helping individuals from a variety of service backgrounds and diagnosed with a range of physical disabilities and complex mental health conditions.

Each scholarship is tailored to fully support all disabled veterans, injured during or due to their service, as they transition to civilian life, providing a free OU education and wraparound disability and careers service support.

The OU are very keen to ensure they reach as many people as possible who are eligible to apply. The application deadline is midnight on 9th July 2021.

More information is available here: http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/choose/veterans

26th April 2021

Message from the National Chairman -
Marking the Centenary of the Royal British Legion – 15th May 2021

Our Founding History. On Sunday 15 May 1921, a wet and dreary day, a small number of ex-Servicemen walked to the Cenotaph war memorial in London’s Whitehall. As Big Ben struck nine, four men representing societies that for three years had been rivals laid a wreath at the base of the memorial. On that wreath were the badges of the four organisations that would officially amalgamate to form the British Legion.

This moment was the starting gun for the Royal British Legion we know today. By Christmas of 1921 the ranks of our organisation had swelled to include 2,500 branches across the country, as well as overseas. These were the groups around which the armed forces community rallied after the First World War. They made change happen, fundraised during the Poppy Appeal, provided welfare locally and became the foundations for what has become the UK’s largest Armed Forces charity.

Centenary Wreath Laying. One hundred years later we are proud to still have 2,500 branches, some with a history reaching back to 1921 and others established in the last decade. To mark the moment of our founding, we are recreating the activity of that day and our National President and serving personnel will lay a wreath at the Cenotaph at 0900 hours on Saturday 15^th May, under the rule of six. That moment at the Cenotaph 100 years ago sparked the beginning of something much bigger and to demonstrate that we would like to invite representatives from branches to lay a wreath at your local memorial, or a memorial of your choice, either to coincide with the activity at the Cenotaph 0900 hours on 15^th May 2021.

Direction. We are asking Branch representatives to lay a wreath at 0900 hours on 15th May 2021, on condition that this activity can be performed in a Covid-19-safe manner. Please visit your government’s website to check the latest information on restrictions and guidelines:
England: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Wales: https://gov.wales/current-restrictions
NI: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-regulations-guidance-what-restrictions-mean-you
Overseas: please check your country's government website.

The invitation for branches to lay wreaths is not intended to detract from the virtual Annual Conference on the 15^th May and is a separate opportunity for branches to mark the centenary should they wish.

Wreaths can be ordered from here and should be arranged by the branch no later than 30 Apr.

Branch Media. If you are engaging with local media around this moment please inform your local Regional Press Officer at PRTeam@britishlegion.org.uk

Social Media. We would encourage any photos of the wreath laying to be shared on social media via your Branch, regional RBL or personal account, making it clear you are marking RBL’s centenary and tagging the RBL accounts:
Facebook: @OfficialPoppyLegion
Twitter: @PoppyLegion
Instagram: @royalbritishlegion
On Twitter and Instagram you can also use the hashtag #RBL100

Thank you for your support.

24th April 2021

Standard Bearers can now attend funerals if invited by the family of the deceased, provided they are included in the number of people allowed to be at the funeral. Each Standard Bearer should continue to monitor local situation and most importantly their own health to ensure they stay safe and keep everyone else safe.

Centenary events message to branches from Janet Talman - Director of Membership

As you are all very much aware this is a real milestone year for the Royal British Legion as we celebrate our Centenary. We have come a long way since our inauguration in 1921 and are eager to ensure that you are able to celebrate our 100 years in these uncertain times.

Our counties and branches lie at the very heart of our communities and we hope that you will engage your families, friends, and other groups, particularly the Armed Forces communities to join in these celebrations whether physical or virtual.

You will find information that can help you plan centenary events and activities by clicking on the link to open Celebrating together

We wish you a lot of success in organising these celebrations.

9th April 2021

Death of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh

Please read below Messages from both the National and Northumbria County Chairman

Message on behalf of Northumbria County Chairman - Marc Reynolds

The County of Northumbria Royal British Legion is profoundly saddened to learn of the death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. We are immensely thankful for his lifetime of faithful service and we mourn his passing deeply.

Please be advised that the Royal British Legion does not have a role within the funeral of The Duke of Edinburgh.

We have asked for guidance from the National Parade Marshal and the Lord Lieutenants office as to how we can show our respects in any local events, to which we may receive official invitation. Please wait for further guidance before committing to anything at this point.

Massage sent on behalf of the National Chairman - Una Cleminson

The Royal British Legion is profoundly saddened to learn of the death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. We are immensely thankful for his lifetime of faithful service, and we mourn his passing deeply.

I met him on numerous occasions, he had a very dry wit and I always found him generous with his time.

The Prime Minister’s Office will issue guidance on the implications of National Mourning. These will be available on the government website.
Please be advised that the Royal British Legion does not have a formal role within the funeral of The Duke of Edinburgh.

Legion Standards and Branches are encouraged to participate in local services where invited by the local Lord-Lieutenant or civic body whilst strictly observing current Covid restrictions. This is also appropriate for senior local representatives, such as members of the Board of Trustees or County Chairs. The office of your local Lord-Lieutenant holds the details of civic arrangements.
Legion Standards and Branches and senior local representatives are reminded to comply with existing Covid-19 lockdown restrictions in their local area.

1st April 2021

Poppy Trek – Scafell Pike – UK’s highest war memorial at the Peak of Scafell Pike in the stunning Lake District

14^th August 2021

Our new one-day trek will pass through picturesque scenery and offer views of unique landscapes as we hike approximately 11 miles and summit the 978 metre peak.

Once we reach the top, we’ll stop to take in the breath-taking views across Cumbria before sharing a moments reflection at the UK’s highest war memorial. Pausing for a minute’s silence to remember and pay tribute to the incredible sacrifices made by our Armed Forces community before descending to a hero’s welcome and collecting a finishers’ medal.

Scafell Pike holds particular significance as it was part of ‘The Great Gift’. A generous act at the end of the First World War when several Cumbrian peaks were gifted to the National Trust to look after on behalf of the nation.

What’s included:

The route is planned and led by experienced mountain leaders, it’s a challenging climb over rocky, uneven terrain, but the views are spectacular and our crew are there to support you every step of the way.

Your entry will include;

A finishers’ medal
Refreshments in the event village in the morning
Lunch box provided which includes snacks for the Trek
A celebratory glass of prosecco or beer at the end
Mountain leaders
A training guide and kit list to help prepare you for the trek.
Fundraising support from a dedicated point of contact at The Royal British Legion

Raise funds to provide the support that our Armed Forces community needs today and when you reach £250 and you’ll also earn an official Legion technical T-shirt to wear with pride on the day.