The Brentwood and District Branch. Royal British Legion.

The Royal British Legion Brentwood Branch launched their Poppy Appeal on Saturday 29^th October at the Chapel High in Brentwood High Street.  Four of our young band members attended the event along with other uniformed organisations, Veterans and Branch Members.

A presentation to Shenfield School 16 to 18 year olds by Brian Kitchener (Branch Chairman)

As long as we have an ex. Service community we will need the Legion. The Royal British Legion was founded 90 years ago. It was initially created for those who fought in the Great War and their dependents. It grew significantly in the aftermath of the Second World War.

Since 1945 we had had only one year when no serviceman or woman has been killed (1968) and so our vital welfare work has never had a chance to lapse.

We serve all ex. Service men and women young and old who have been willing to fight for peace and freedom either as peace keepers or in combat, as national servicemen or the territorial army, We look after those who are left behind, widows, spouses and children or those who spend a lifetime caring for an ex. Service person or one trying to face life without them.

In the year 2010/ 2011 we raised £36 million pounds by the “Poppy Appeal “nationally. Brentwood’s total was £47.000.

Each week the Legion spends approx... £1.4 million on welfare,

The annual Poppy Appeal raises approx... Half what we spend on welfare, the remainder comes from donations, legacies and fund raising which goes on throughout the year.

The Legion owns and runs seven residential and nursing care homes throughout the country, these homes offer a very high standard of care to some 450 ex-service men and women and their immediate relatives.  The Legion also owns 3 welfare break homes which provide respite for members of the ex. Service community or those in need of relaxation after an illness or bereavement. Approval has been giver for a new home to be located at South end on Sea

The Legion assists those leaving the services by helping them resettle, the legion organises vocational assessment so that ex-service people recognise their strengths, career options and training needs, and we can offer them career advice, training and small business loans to those wanting to start their own business.

More recently the Legion has pledged £50. Million pounds to assist with the running costs of four new" Recovery" centres being constructed, the nearest one is in Colchester, The are partly being funded by the MOD “Help for Hero’s and the Legion , These are for the care and rehabilitation of our service personnel who have been severely disabled in recent conflicts, It is hoped that these centres will enable them to return to live as normal a life as their disabilities will  allow. These are only a few of the services we provide, we can assure you that every penny donated to the Poppy Appeal is put to good use

Mr. Les Paddon President.
Mr.Brian Kitchener. Chairman.
Mrs. Eunice Woolmore.Sect & Poppy Appeal Organiser.
Mr. Peter Hyam. Treasurer.
Mr. John Woolmore. Welfare Case Worker and Standard Bearer
Contact Tel No. 01277218210. E mail briankitchener@talttalk.net
The branch meets at the Band Room off the Drive, Warley on the second Tuesday each month at 8.pm.  At most meeting we have a speaker who will give a talk on matters of local or national interest. A raffle to provide funds for branch admin and the Essex County welfare fund is usually held at our meetings.  We are grateful for any prizes donated   .During the year several social events are held, we do not have a bar but you are welcome to bring your own drinks to these events

We meet at the Band Room on Thursday mornings for a social chat and to meet other members who are unable to get to the evening meetings, this is purely a social meeting, Tea coffee and light refreshments are provided, a donation towards the cost of the refreshments  is appreciated,

Forthcoming events.
Sat 29. Oct 2011 "Poppy Appeal Launch. @ 11.00 am in the town centre. Followed in the evening by our Poppy Launch dance and supper.
11Nov. at 11.00am. Assemble @ the War Memorial the observe e the two minute silence and act of remembrance.
13th. Nov. Annual "Remembrance Day Parade. Muster at the town hall car park 10.20am
Dec. 13th. Annual band award presentation evening and concert.