Post by aghart on Sept 6, 2023 12:39:53 GMT
18 members present on the night with 9 more linked in via Zoom for the September 2023 branch meeting. This was also the branch AGM.
"Green Fields" had a 1 RTR theme, we remembered Bob Darnell & Roger Stevens.
Minutes of the July 2023 meeting were viewed.
The recap of activity included the Korea 70 event in London ( Robert Bone, Reg Fox & Dave Larcombe) visits to see Pete Williams in Hospital, the branch BBQ & the VJ Day service in Poole.
Members were informed that the committee used their previously agreed financial discretion and purchased a fourth event shelter for the branch.
A request for volunteers was made to help man the RBL Poppy stand in the Dolphin Centre in Poole during November
Members were informed that there will be a Battle of Britain service at Christchurch Priory on Sunday 17th September at 18.30hrs
Reg Fox and Dave Larcombe will both represent the branch at the opening of the Garden of Remembrance in Westminster in November
The branch was informed that Association members can obtain tickets for the Vintners reception in November. Tickets are £25 each.
Members were reminded to get their Ladies Lunch returns in by the December social event.
There is likely to be a reception in the Centenery Club after the parade in Poole Park on Remembrance Sunday. Everyone is encouraged to attend so that we are not totally outnumbered by the Royal Marines Association.
Members were reminded that the next meeting is on Tuesday 3rd October 2023. The guest Speaker is Major Pat Burgess RTR. He will gives his presentation from home via Zoom.
The meeting then closed and the AGM opened.
Minutes of the 2022 AGM were available to view
The Chairman gave his annual address, highlighting the immense activity undertaken by the branch in the last 12 months. This included 22 commemorations of various types, 48 visits, 9 funerals, 22 Maintenance visits (graves, memorials etc) and 11 RTR events. He also highlighted the list of truly exceptional guest speakers over the last 12 months (little did we know that another was about to be added to the list) The full list of activity is huge and my typing fingers are hurting already.
The Statement of accounts was shown and explained. The important fact is that we are in the black and somewhat richer than we were last year.
The branch commitee was re elected unapposed for a further year.
The AGM was then closed and the guest speaker was introduced.
Andy Price is the founder and Chief Executive of the Weymouth & Portland Veterans Hub. He gave some information on his background, His military service not regular but TA. He served with the 4th Bn Devonshire & Dorset Regiment and did 3 tours in Afghanistan. He then worked for a private security firm in Afghanistan for 3 years, then did the same in Iraq for over 2 years. He achieved his hat trick by then doing the same in Libya. He did say that Libya was as bad if not worse then Helmand Provence.
He was of course suffering from PTSD and found that the right level and type of support needed was not forthcoming. He then set up the veterans hub to help himself and others in the area. They obtained grants from the RBL and other sources, they have built a gym, a garden, a quiet room for veterans, they have volunteers to give councilling and even physio for those that need it. They have a cafe (the Bacon Sarnies are apparantly to die for) they even have a launderette so the homeless veterans can get their clothes washed and dried. Veterans are coming from all over the country to visit the hub because they have heard what it offers to those with mental health issues. At least 2 families have moved to Weymouth just to access the services the hub offers. The only day the hub is closed is on a Sunday. I have only scratched the surface on what Andy told us, we were all totally mesmorised by what we heard. It was amazing and very moving. The hub did receive the Queens commendation for community service, this is like an MBE for a group rather than an individual.
A fantastic presentation and much appreciated by those who had the good fortune to be present.
www.theveteranshub.co.uk/?fbclid=IwAR3hgh-YRBzR6A72MKoqmsJ5VyL_8NdTBI7TEfEzp9SRl9kP1mI952QZ210 link to the Veterans Hub website.
"Green Fields" had a 1 RTR theme, we remembered Bob Darnell & Roger Stevens.
Minutes of the July 2023 meeting were viewed.
The recap of activity included the Korea 70 event in London ( Robert Bone, Reg Fox & Dave Larcombe) visits to see Pete Williams in Hospital, the branch BBQ & the VJ Day service in Poole.
Members were informed that the committee used their previously agreed financial discretion and purchased a fourth event shelter for the branch.
A request for volunteers was made to help man the RBL Poppy stand in the Dolphin Centre in Poole during November
Members were informed that there will be a Battle of Britain service at Christchurch Priory on Sunday 17th September at 18.30hrs
Reg Fox and Dave Larcombe will both represent the branch at the opening of the Garden of Remembrance in Westminster in November
The branch was informed that Association members can obtain tickets for the Vintners reception in November. Tickets are £25 each.
Members were reminded to get their Ladies Lunch returns in by the December social event.
There is likely to be a reception in the Centenery Club after the parade in Poole Park on Remembrance Sunday. Everyone is encouraged to attend so that we are not totally outnumbered by the Royal Marines Association.
Members were reminded that the next meeting is on Tuesday 3rd October 2023. The guest Speaker is Major Pat Burgess RTR. He will gives his presentation from home via Zoom.
The meeting then closed and the AGM opened.
Minutes of the 2022 AGM were available to view
The Chairman gave his annual address, highlighting the immense activity undertaken by the branch in the last 12 months. This included 22 commemorations of various types, 48 visits, 9 funerals, 22 Maintenance visits (graves, memorials etc) and 11 RTR events. He also highlighted the list of truly exceptional guest speakers over the last 12 months (little did we know that another was about to be added to the list) The full list of activity is huge and my typing fingers are hurting already.
The Statement of accounts was shown and explained. The important fact is that we are in the black and somewhat richer than we were last year.
The branch commitee was re elected unapposed for a further year.
The AGM was then closed and the guest speaker was introduced.
Andy Price is the founder and Chief Executive of the Weymouth & Portland Veterans Hub. He gave some information on his background, His military service not regular but TA. He served with the 4th Bn Devonshire & Dorset Regiment and did 3 tours in Afghanistan. He then worked for a private security firm in Afghanistan for 3 years, then did the same in Iraq for over 2 years. He achieved his hat trick by then doing the same in Libya. He did say that Libya was as bad if not worse then Helmand Provence.
He was of course suffering from PTSD and found that the right level and type of support needed was not forthcoming. He then set up the veterans hub to help himself and others in the area. They obtained grants from the RBL and other sources, they have built a gym, a garden, a quiet room for veterans, they have volunteers to give councilling and even physio for those that need it. They have a cafe (the Bacon Sarnies are apparantly to die for) they even have a launderette so the homeless veterans can get their clothes washed and dried. Veterans are coming from all over the country to visit the hub because they have heard what it offers to those with mental health issues. At least 2 families have moved to Weymouth just to access the services the hub offers. The only day the hub is closed is on a Sunday. I have only scratched the surface on what Andy told us, we were all totally mesmorised by what we heard. It was amazing and very moving. The hub did receive the Queens commendation for community service, this is like an MBE for a group rather than an individual.
A fantastic presentation and much appreciated by those who had the good fortune to be present.
www.theveteranshub.co.uk/?fbclid=IwAR3hgh-YRBzR6A72MKoqmsJ5VyL_8NdTBI7TEfEzp9SRl9kP1mI952QZ210 link to the Veterans Hub website.