Branch Committee page.
MOUSEHOLE BRANCH OF THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION.
POPPY APPEAL - AUDIT FOR 2015
POPPY APPEAL - AUDIT FOR 2013/14 Not Available
POPPY APPEAL - AUDIT FOR 2012/13 Not Available
THE SERVICE COMMITTEE:
Our role within the Branch is to support serving members of the Armed Forces, ex-service people, and widows of ex-service people regardless of whether they are members of the RBL or not.
Support takes many forms which include straightforward contact by phone, home visits, transport to hospital where necessary and a call whilst there, help with administration including claims for allowances, and help at times of sickness and bereavement.
It may surprise readers to know that Mousehole Branch has, living or connected locally, 42 ex-service members, 20 ex-service non-members, 9 young service people serving in the Armed Forces, and 14 widows of ex-servicemen. That is a large proportion of our area population, and doubtless there are others of whom we are unaware, but who we would like to meet. Across the Tamar and further upcountry we also have members: in fact two very recent cases were with members in the Midlands and Kent which involved sensitive communication.
Locally, we have contacted around 30 'clients' in the last two months (which is about average) and covered a variety of matters with ill-health being common at this time of year. During, and just after, Remembrancetide 9 ex-service widows have received pot plants which were appreciated.
Where more specialist help or financial advice is required, or if the member does not wish to be contacted by the local Branch, they are very welcome to talk to our County office (as it currently is) on 01872 225129 who will deal with the query.
What we need is for local people to understand what the Branch Service team actually does and therefore let us know when we may be able to help – PLEASE.
Confidentiality is paramount in our dealings with members, although on occasions the members themselves do want to share their problems with others, but we don't!
We hope this brief note helps to explain what The Royal British Legion actually does through Service Committees, and how The Poppy Appeal contributes to this work.
Graham Prodger – Service Committee.
6th December 2012
POPPY APPEAL - AUDIT FOR 2011/12
The audit had to be delayed, but did take place in Mousehole RBL Club on Tuesday 2nd April 2013.
Annie Binding from County checked our paperwork and general administration, especially over Remembrancetide. She was very happy with our way of doing things, which she deemed practical and within the Charity rules of the Poppy Appeal. Our efforts to obtain mandates for Gift Aid claims were appreciated, as was the witnessing of any counting of donations and the same-day paying-in arrangements – ‘thank you’ to Charles Beeton and Don Kidd. Annie is going to supply us with an “official” boundary map, but accepts that we have agreed boundaries with neighbouring RBL Branches. She will pass on our thanks to Maureen Simmonds at HQ for her outstanding support whenever requested. We did also discuss the perceived relationship between the RBL and the Poppy Appeal, which can confuse the public and members.
Plans for the summer include a “car boot sale” in June, and a table at the Lions’ event on the Penzance Promenade in August.
Thanks were expressed to Sandra Ursell, Charles Beeton and Don Kidd for all their support.
Graham Prodger – P A O for TAE 08 (Mousehole) – 07/04/2013
POPPY APPEAL – JANUARY 2013 UPDATE
This Remembrancetide, our members and visitors "did us proud". The House-to-House collections, which included Paul village, produced a remarkable £625, so special thanks to Michele Maiden, President Bob and Sue Harrison, Lynn Watson, Edwina Reynolds and Charles Beeton – not forgetting the generosity of our locals.
The "static points", which are where a box & poppies are left at St. Pol-de-Leon Church and local businesses, took £560 – again, thanks are due to the business people and their customers.
Out of a total of 14 wreaths laid at the War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday, 7 were sponsored by individual members – all of whom signed 'Gift Aid' mandates allowing the RBL to reclaim tax, which was much appreciated. It was also interesting to see 12 personal crosses dedicated to former members of the Armed Forces.
On Remembrance Sunday, instead of the usual Raffle the Club President auctioned quite a few items and cajoled £350 from those enjoying the buffet provided by the Club – thank you, Len Maiden and the Club committee. In October, Margaret Ponder – with support from Sandra Ursell and Eleanor Madron – organised a great Coffeee Morning which produced a splendid £150. Thanks .
Before Christmas, the Club donated £500 which was very welcome and appreciated.
All the above enabled us to bank £2,400 to date. Thank you, Sandra Ursell and Charles Beeton, for all your support. We await the audit in February with confidence!
