NEWSLETTER  APRIL  2021 

Newsletter for ‘Keeping in Touch’ April 2021   Please note any news or information for the newsletter to be passed on to Jan Bridle anytime; also if anyone has changed their email address or set up a new one could they please let Jan know. Also, in this time of isolation, if anyone feels in need of a chat, please feel free to ring Jan or Bob (numbers above) any time.

 

Branch meetings and monthly lunches.   We do not now expect to resume branch activities until government guidelines and restrictions allow us to.

 

Branch subs    There are still a few people who have not paid their subs for 2020. The committee have decided that all members who have paid their subs this year are exempt for 2021 to compensate for the lack of branch meetings and activities. Please support the branch by paying the outstanding amount of £17 either by internet banking or cheque made out to REA Bournemouth.  For bank account details please contact John Cusack on 01202 517804. 

 

Down Memory Lane

With now have, thanks to Hazel, a number of early newsletters from the first meeting in 1982 to 1994. There are still none from 1994 -2001 so if anyone has any of these please let us know.

16^th March 1982 at the first meeting at Boscombe British Legion, 21 founder members voted at the

Election of Officers – 

President        Colonel Jim Joiner

Chairman       Jim Pringle

Secretary Ron Garnham Treasurer Albert Hicks

The first subscription was decided at £1 per member!!

Brian Collins volunteered to be the branch delegate at the next Group meeting and Frank Robinson offered to print the branch newsletters.

 

 

Brian Collins  it is with sadness that we announce the passing of one of our 21 founder members, Brian Collins, and pass on our sincere condolences to his wife Joan and family.  Brian was one of the 21 founder members of Bournemouth Branch REA and was also the first branch Standard Bearer from 1982-1987.  At his funeral on 1^st April at Twynham Church in Christchurch the branch provided the Standard and Drape, and a (small, socially distanced) Guard of Honour.

The first photo shows Brian at the dedication of the Branch Standard on 31st October 1982. Albert Hicks is on his right with Jim Pringle on his left.  Also shown are the photos from his Order of Service.

 

Royal British Legion

2021 is a very important year for the RBL. This year they are celebrating their 100th birthday and, more importantly, 100 years of support to those who have served with Her Majesty’s Armed Forces.  It all began in May 1921, in the aftermath of the First World War. Four national organisations of ex-Servicemen came together to give a unified voice to those facing the bleak reality of Britain after that harrowing and deadly conflict.

Since then, the unique needs of the Armed Forces community have evolved, but they have adapted and enhanced their services to meet them. Thanks to kind support and donations from people like you, the RBL will keep working to ensure their sacrifices are recognised and that there is always somewhere for them to turn.

 

HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh 1921-2021

We also send our sincere condolences on behalf of the branch to our Patron, Her majesty the Queen, on the sad passing of her beloved husband Prince Philip. We thank him for his servics to the Armed Forces and to the Nation and the Commonwealth. His charitable work improved countless lives and he was a great ambassador for Britain.