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Northumbria

RBL 100

RBL 100

1st October 2021 Update

Throughout the country, counties have been busy holding events to celebrate the centenary of the RBL. In Northumbria, we decided that this hugely significant milestone should be recorded for future generations and so decided to make a film and produce a souvenir booklet. Filming started in June when we filmed our Patron, Her Grace the Duchess of Northumberland, in Alnwick Gardens, since then we have filmed at Branch locations throughout the County, with the emphasis on those Branches who are also celebrating their centenary. Sadly, COVID curtailed much of what we had planned, it also required us to re-schedule dates three times, for the main event, this meant the loss of the Fusiliers Band and a number of other problem's, most eventually overcome.

Making a film is a complex and costly business but I am pleased to say all costs were met through sponsorship, with enough left to cover the cost of producing a booklet. I am most grateful to all who have supported the venture, be it as part of the planning team, or taking part in the events we filmed. For most it was a new experience, where a great deal of patience, co-operation and understanding was required, this was largely achieved, so thank you to all involved. We finish filming in November when we will film the service at the Field of Remembrance in Saltwell Park, Gateshead. Do please come and join us for this poignant and moving service, where we remember all who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

It was fitting that the County held one main event to provide an opportunity for all Branches to be represented and/or attend. It took place on Gateshead Millennium Bridge and Baltic Square on Saturday 4th September. On the bridge we held a service of thanksgiving conducted by our previous County Padre, the Reverend James Breslin who came up from Nottingham especially for the occasion. During the two minutes silence, poppies were dropped from the bridge, drifting away with the tide to signify lives lost in battle. The parade ended fittingly, with a Spitfire from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flying down river over the Tyne and Gateshead Millennium Bridges and out to sea. The parade was followed by a reception in HMS Calliope, before a Beating the Retreat on Baltic Square. The weather was not at its best, which sadly affected turnout, nevertheless, it was a hugely successful day where members from our branches were joined by two Lord Lieutenants, a Lord Mayor, six Mayors, a number of local dignitaries and the military. We were honoured to welcome Charles Byrne, Director General RBL with his wife Rebecca and our Membership Council Representative, Gordon Barker and his wife Jacquie. The evening ended with Ceremonial Sunset, prior to which, the Director General addressed the audience.

We expect the film to be ready for release, on-line and free to view, at the end of the year or early 2022 and will of course inform everyone when this happens. The book is likely to be completed a couple of months later. I hope, but do not expect, that everyone will be pleased with the film. Reducing some 30 hours of footage into 90 minutes, does mean that only the best parts from each venue at which we filmed will be included, so there will inevitably be some disappointment. Within the film, our aim is to give as wide a representation of the County as possible however, this was not easy, as we were not provided with the necessary, comprehensive local Branch information requested and required. I must also point out that once released, the film will be available world-wide and as such, it needs to provide an interesting and factual yet entertaining appeal...

RBL100 

In 2021 the Legion will be celebrating 100 years.  The British Legion was formed on 15 May 1921, bringing together four national organisations of ex-Servicemen that had established themselves after the First World War.  It is intended that Legion 100 will bring together our nations, individuals, and communities to celebrate both the tremendous achievements of the Legion over the last 100 years and to demonstrate why we are just as important in 2021 and beyond.

Northumbria RBL are currently looking at what can be achieved to help and enjoy this celebration and are currently looking at making a film about the centenary and we are considering all possibilities.  At the moment we are registering interest and will decide on the content by the end of February.  

All Branch's will be contacted in the near future by a member of the Centenary Committee, to further explain our hopeful plans and ask for support from members and their families. 

 Wednesday 16th June 2021  - Event Update

Please see below emails from our County Chairman and President regarding the events which are due to take place over Northumbria.

Dear Colleagues

Following the announcement by our Prime Minister, it will come as no surprise that our County Centenary event, planned for Gateshead on 10 July, will be postponed. We are already working with local authorities and other relevant organisations in order to confirm a new date. As soon as we can settle on a suitable date, the event will go ahead.
The events planned for the Centenary Branches on 11-17 and 18 July, will still go ahead as planned, as the latest announcements will not affect them…
Thank you for your patience and continued support
Kind Regards
Marc
Northumbria County Chairman

Ladies and Gentlemen

Following the government's announcement that COVID restrictions are to remain in place for another four weeks, we regrettably have to postpone (not cancel), the events that we were to hold on Saturday 10th July, namely, drumhead service at Durham Cathedral and the parade, reception and Beating the Retreat on Gateshead Millennium Bridge, HMS Calliope and Baltic Square. 

Please note that the events we are holding, and filming, on Sunday 11th July, Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th July are not affected and will go ahead. These events are smaller in size and within current limits.


I can now confirm Saturday 4th September as the new date for the Drumhead Service at Durham cathedral (11am), Parade on Gateshead Millennium Bridge (4pm), Reception at HMS Calliope and Beating the Retreat on Baltic Square (6pm).
Please accept my apologies for any inconvenience this may cause, I accept that the change of date may mean some people are committed elsewhere.
Kind regards,
Eric Ingram
Northumbria County President

Thursday 20th May 2021

Great News - Filming of the Northumbria RBL100 Celebrations has started. On Thursday 20th May the film crew were at Alnwick Garden to film the Duchess of Northumberland who is the Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland.  Unfortunately, the Alnwick Branch opening has been delayed due to Covid 19, so the County Standard and Union Jack were paraded by Eddy Woodall, County Parade Marshall and Reg Bond County CTO. below are some pictures taken on the day.

RBL 100 update 10th April 2021

Dates, locations below for the filming are below timings are still to be confirmed

Tyne & Wear  -  Saturday 10th July

Durham Cathedral (TBC)
North Tyneside (TBC)
Gateshead Millennium Bridge & Baltic Square

Northumberland  - Sunday 11th July

Corbridge - This event will now be Corbride, Wark and Prudhoe
Alnwick Gardens
Amble - This event will now be held in the Memorial Gardens only and will be for the presentation of the Pennant

Co Durham  - Saturday 17th July

Willington & Crook
Cornforth
Seaham + Bikers

Cleveland  - Sunday 18th July

Chester-le-Street – filming only.
Darlington – Rail Museum
Hartlepool – HMS Trincomalee

RBL 100 update 12th March 2021

Below is the latest update on the planned events to celebrate the RBL100 and all Branches across Northumberland including special events in the area where Branches are turning 100 this year. Below is an out line of  the current Plan for Events & Filming all timings are still to be confirmed.

Tyne & Wear  -  Saturday 10th July

Newcastle – Response Memorial attended by Legion members, standards & cadets.
Sunderland War Memorial attended by Legion members, standards, cadets.

Millennium Bridge/Baltic Square
4pm - VE/VJ, Battle of Britain Parade.
Fusiliers Band & 102 Bn REME Pipe Band to play, reservists & cadets on parade.
Possible Battle of Britain fly past.
4.30pm - Reception (by invite).
6pm - Beating the Retreat Seating laid out in front of Baltic, all who attend the reception to be seated as guests, remaining seats to be offered for sale. 

If you would be interested in booking tickets or would like further information please email Kenneth Kemp by clicking here

Fusiliers Band, 102 Bn REME Pipe Band to play, Hindu Cultural trust dancers to dance, possibility of Mil Wives choir from Catterick.
To end with sunset ceremony and lowering of flags at HMS calliope.

Northumberland  - Sunday 11th July

Corbridge - Corbridge War Memorial attended by Legion members, standards, women’s section cadets.
Wark – War memorial attended by Legion members, standard, cadets.
Amble Town Square & Memorial Gardens - Open Day with entertainment, attended by legion members, standards, cadets and public.

Co Durham  - Saturday 17th July

Seaham Seafront –Attended by Legion members, standards, reservists, cadets & public.
Willington & Crook War Memorial attended by Legion members, standards, cadets
Cornforth War Memorial attended by Legion members, standards, cadets. Invite Mayor to attach centenary ribbons.

Cleveland  - Sunday 18th July

Hartlepool, HMS Trincomalee/War Memorial attended by Legion members, standards, cadets.
Darlington, Rail Museum/War Memorial attended by Legion members, standards, cadets.
Bikers Branch – Location TBC
Chester-le-Street – Film the song (Green Fields of France), with 2nd Bays (horses).

Events TBC

Alnwick Gardens (invite Legion members and standards from Northumberland. Duchess to do the intro to the film, Blue Light choir to sing.
Durham Cathedral (invite members and standards from all branches). Service open to public, Lord Lt & Mayor of Durham & MP to be invited.

RBL 100 update 22 February 2021

On the 15th May, the Legion will celebrate its centenary. COVID 19 has and will continue to limit what can be done, it has already had an impact on our plans for Northumbria, which were to hold a concert in the Sage Gateshead, which regrettably had to be cancelled.

However, doing nothing is not an option, so we decided to hold a number of events (mostly open air), make a film and produce a booklet about the RBL 100 in Northumbria. It is an ambitious plan, and as mentioned, we have to take COVID into consideration, but we are confident we will be able mark the Centenary in a fitting manner, at the same time promoting the Legion in Northumbria.

At the start of December, a RBL 100 planning team was put in place. To start the planning team broke Northumbria up into three areas and progress has been made with all Branches having been contacted by one of the Planning Team.

Planned events:

Northumbria have 12 Branch’s turning 100 in 2021 which we wanted to include in the celebrations and we have looked for suitable locations that can be reached by neighbouring Branches. The plan is currently to one major event with some smaller events in each County, which will largely be in the form of an open day with entertainment. The plan so far is :

Northumberland

  • Alnwick Gardens: A small event to launch the film, Her Grace The Duchess of Northumberland has agreed to do the introduction.
  • Amble, Memorial Gardens: This will be the main event in Northumberland.
  • Wark/Corbridge: TBC, but both are Centenary Branches, ideally, we would like to combine the two into one event, but two can be arranged if required.

Tyne & Wear:

  • Millennium Bridge: (Saturday 10th July): Around 4pm in the afternoon we will hold a parade on Gateshead Millennium Bridge, the parade will not only mark the Centenary it will also belatedly mark the 75th anniversaries of VE/VJ day and the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain (postponed from last year). On the bridge will be the Lord Lieutenants, Mayors, Fusiliers Band, REME Pipe Band, Reserve Forces, Cadets, Standard Bearers and Legion members. The parade will include the Act of Remembrance, the RN training ship will be moored in front of the bridge, a request for a Battle of Britain fly past has been submitted. Lt Gen Robin Brims will give a tribute.
  • Baltic Square (Saturday 10th July): In the evening there will be a Beating the Retreat on Baltic Square, it will be open to all and it is hoped that as many legion members as possible will be able to attend.

Co Durham/ North Cleveland:

  • Seaham: The main event for Co Durham & North Cleveland, to take place on the seafront around the Tommy memorial.
  • Trimdon/West Cornforth: TBC, both are Centenary Branches, ideally, we would like to combine the two into one event, but two can be arranged if required.
  • Darlington/Stockton: TBC, both are Centenary Branches, ideally, we would like to combine the two into one event, but two can be arranged if required.
  • Durham Cathedral: Discussions have been held with the Vice-Dean regarding a Legion 100 service. Durham cathedral is keen for this to happen, but due to COVID, no decision can be taken until mid-April. Update to follow in due course, date has to be flexible.

Film and Commemorative Booklet:

Filming will mostly take place during the weekends 10/11 and 17/18 July. The film team is AWOL TV, a group of highly professional Army Reservists who filmed the Festival of Remembrance in Durham Cathedral last November (free to view on YouTube and Facebook). The film will be narrated by Alasdair Hutton who narrates the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. When complete, the film will be uploaded to Facebook Northumbria Website and YouTube and will be free to view worldwide.

Filming will largely take place at the events we have planned; it will cover the history of Branches in Northumbria (all Branches have history). To do this we need copies of any documentation you hold, photographs and personal accounts from members (where possible this will be by live interview). We want to involve as many members as possible so if you have something interesting please do contact your County Co-ordinator (see below) and Kenneth Kemp (MSO). As well as the history, we will cover Remembrance, the Field of Remembrance, War Memorials, GP90, Branch Community Support, the Poppy Appeal, Conflicts, Fundraising and anything else that is relevant to the Legion. We would also like to hear from members who have been in the Legion a long time, members from Ethnic backgrounds etc. The booklet will include the history and pictures from branches and show scenes from the film.

RBL 100 Planning Team:

Each area has been allocated a member of the planning team as listed below.  I you need to contact your representative via email Please click on their name.