Wiltshire Branch Report

The branch has yet again survived another year.

We are only a small branch and most of our members are still in the working age group so to try to get anyone to volunteer to do anything can be a challenge. However in spite of this we continue to carry out a number of tasks that assist the local community and in particular the Royal British Legion.

The year started off with the AGM in January, as expected there were no nominations for the posts of Chairman Secretary or Treasurer and so these remain unchanged and the positions of Entertainment and Internet remain unfilled from previous years. The treasurer Bill Tyson has kindly taken on the task of organising the entertainment and the chairman is looking after the social media Facebook page.

In March members attended the Warminster Civic Council annual gathering in the Minster church. This involves a church service where all the various organisations in Wiltshire attend including the local MP the Rt Hon Andrew Murrison and the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire Mrs Sarah Rose Troughton among other dignitaries. It is well attended and keeps the badge in the public eye. Armed Forces Weekend was big in Wiltshire this year which is the main national effort was focused on Salisbury still getting over the effects of the Novichok incident and the clean up of areas contaminated by this dastardly attack. Overall a good turnout for the event yet again. The Armed Forces church service at the Chapel of St Lawrence in Warminster was also well attended on the Sunday.

The annual get together in Winchester on the 6th saw a good turnout from the branch and it is always a great event for catching up with old mates that we haven’t seen for years or in most cases, last year. Well done to the Winchester branch yet again for all the hard work in making it a great day and the committee for organising the event.

The annual branch BBQ was held at the home of Phil and Val Ashby and it was a good turnout for this now well established branch event. As in keeping with previous years the event was fancy dress with the hosts deciding on the theme which this year was “countries of the world” a great turnout and many lateral thinking people made for some very interesting costumes. Well done to all.

The next event is to be held at Richard and Jax on the 8th of August.

The annual gathering at the NMA in September saw a huge turnout from the Lt Div, it was the 50th anniversary of the start of troop deployment in NI in which many of those attending had served many tours. Good to see the Officers on parade and so many Generals amongst them.

November saw the annual Poppy appeal and as is the case every year we showcase the branch at Waitrose with a collection over the preceding Fri