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NORTH WALES DISTRICT
APRIL 2015
Our thanks go to all of those who assisted during the
Poppy Appeal . Once again the young people of North
Wales raised nearly 10% of our total.
The complete list of the award winners and those with
special certificates will be published on the Wales web
page as soon as possible. This year some changes
were made with the average collection per young
person being considered for the first time.
District Team
A Very special ‘Thank you' to those branches who made
a contribution towards the costs of the evening.
The North Wales District has a fundraising committee
which consists of Merfyn Thomas, District Poppy
Coordinator and PAO Colwyn Bay; Graham Williams
PAO Conwy; Peter Kingston MBE District Chair; Carol
Cathery, Flintshire; Ted Evans,Ruthin; Piers Beeland,
PAO Holyhead; Dave Hylands, PAO Wrexham; Kevin
Forbes CFR,
Overton Branch
This group consider fundraising activities and ensure
the smooth running of the Poppy Appeal. Merfyn
Thomas is now the District Poppy Coordinator. He can
be contacted at merfyn.thomas@yahoo.com,
Merfyn and I will be contacting you with dates and
venues for meeting of Poppy Appeal Organisers. The
intention is not only to bring you up to date with any
changes but also to address any concerns that you
might have. We will offer a number of possible venues
across a range of dates in late June /early July.
I said in the first newsletter that ‘Poppy Appeal in North
Wales has been very strong this year. …...I am very
hopeful that the final total at the end of the financial
year will exceed £520,000.' I can tell you that we are
already over the £531000 mark. This is magnificent and
a real testament to the continued enthusiasm and hard
work by the organisers and their volunteers. We could
not do this without you. THANK YOU !! One and All.
There seems to be a real possibility of more to come.
Please see the events lists further down.
Awards evening.
The Community Awards evening will be held again this
year at Rydal Penrhos School, Colwyn Bay on 23rd
April. The Poppy Appeal Organisers who had the
assistance of cadet units, student groups etc have
already been informed of the details and should have
received their invitation. This year we have a joint
overall winner :
No 418 (Aberconwy) Sqn, ATC and Rossett Pl. ACF.
Overton’s British Legion Standard Bearer retired on
Remembrance Sunday. Gerry Owen has carried the
Standard for Overton Royal British Legion for the past
30 years, starting in 1984. Gerry was also the Poppy
Appeal Organiser for Overton On Dee, willingly
‘stepping into the breach’ as they say. In a simple
ceremony at the end of the Remembrance Service
Gerry was thanked for his years of service by Chairman
David Burton before the Standard was handed to a new
bearer, Dave Austin.
The British
Legion would
like to thank
the Scouts,
Cubs, Beavers
and Brownies
and members
of the public
for their
support. This
year’s Poppy
Appeal was
the best ever. Frank Lloyd who, after 9 years organising
the appeal, has also retired handing over to Colin
Bamber.
Door to door fundraising.
Lottery Post codes LL15 - 21
There are 200 cash prizes each week up to £2,000 and
there are quarterly draws with first prizes of £15,000 or
£20,000.
All fundraisers will be carrying an ID badge and
paperwork which relates specifically to the Legion and
Poppy Lottery; they will give their names and show their
ID cards upon request.
Each entry to the lottery costs £1 per week.
Kevin Forbes kforbes@britishlegion.org.uk M: 07876 476790
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NORTH WALES DISTRICT LOCAL NEWS
Planned events
Llay RBL
Quiz night to commemorate VE
Day
"OPEN GOLF TEAM COMPETITION"
Friday 8th May 7.00 start at the Strawberry Fields
Restaurant, Bellis Bros, Holt Tel:01829 270302.Tickets
from K Forbes 01978 754593,
Email:kforbes@britishlegion.org.uk or
VENUE: HAWARDEN GOLF CLUB
all details on the virgin money giving site.
THE THIRTY FIRST ANNIVERSARY
Monday 29th June 2015
Main Competition: Team Competition to consist of 4
players
Donate for your tickets via
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/VE_Day_Fun_Qui
z_Night or tinyurl.com/kcfttsh
(for short)
Applications to Secretary GG Walley, 7 Fford Gwenllian,
Llay, Wrexharn LLl2 OUW TEL 01978 853278
.
All proceeds to The Poppy Appeal.
Normandy Veterans
Coastal Walk
The walk organisers Angie and Elaine (sometimes
known as A &E) say
This years walk is along the Gower and Camarthen
sections of the Wales Coastal Path. 100 miles from
Oxwich on the Gower to Amroth on the Pembroke
Camarthen border (where we started last year). We will
walk over 11 days. We leave Friday 5th and return
Friday 20th June. Sponsors are invited. Please contact
Angie Parry at pendragon2009@live.co.uk.
Sunday 21st June we have organised a sponsored
Poppy Honour Walk from Llandudno Cenotaph on the
North Shore over to the Conwy Cenataph in Bodlondeb
Conwy........approx 5 miles. Times for this walk have
not been finalised yet but we're looking to start this walk
artound 11.30am. Then meeting for a well earned drink
in the Conwy Legion. There will also be a grand raffle.
A local group have said 'On 4th May 12-4pm we are
holding a VE day commemoration in Bellevue
Park,Wrexham with The Normandy Veterans'. This is
not a fundraising event just an opportunity to say thank
you.
VE Day Lapel Pins
These will be available soon on request. Please try to
assess how many you might need and
for what purpose. All proceeds to Poppy
Appeal.
Running /Cycling
We have two entrants for the Chester
Half Marathon 17th May. There will be
running vests available and there will be
a few more places. Anyone interested please contact
me.
Our aim this year is to raise over £3K from both walks
bringing the Conwy Poppy Appeal total for this year to
£20K.
Forthcoming events include
A Choral Evening To
Commemorate Gallipoli
Etape Cycle race 2015 Date TBC
A 6 choir festival
I am informed that the programme with B &Q will run
again this year So far over £62k has been raised.
Friday 12th June, Bangor Cathedral at 7-30, £10 per
ticket.
The evening is held to commemorate the Welsh
Divisions who participated in the Gallipoli campaign.
Donation to the Poppy Appeal (Llanfaelog). The
proceeds will be divided between the Poppy Appeal
and the Cathedral.
Contact John Hall by email :
<ivanjohnhall@gmail.com>
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North Wales half marathon 26th July, Snowdon run
31st May ,Conwy Half marathon 22nd Nov.
Poppy Seeds
Experience last year showed that a very fine tilth is
needed . We also found that seeds germinated and
grown on in pots transplant in clumps successfully
Kids Packs
These were highly successful in 2014 and now is the
time to think about the number of schools in your district
and the quantities required. If you have a large school
you may need more than one box.
NORTH WALES DISTRICT LOCAL NEWS
http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/remembrance/ve-day
Our aim is to encourage communities throughout the
UK to participate in similar VE Day events and to salute
not only veterans, but all those who also served the war
effort at home—a challenge that we hope will be
accepted by staff, members, volunteers and supporters
across the Legion family.
Plans are also under way to mark the final cessation of
hostilities and the 70th anniversary of Victory over
Japan (VJ) Day on 15 August.
Sainsburys were massive supporters during the 2014
Appeal In addition to the £6 million raised in donations
to collectors in store, the corporate partnerships raised
another £1 million.
If you have any plans please let me know and contact
the web page below
VEday70@britishlegion.org.uk
Moel Famau
A few pictures of the charity fun run.
There were 9 people involved and it took us 7 hours to
complete about 12 miles, Loggerheads to Moel Famau.
Iceland have also been huge supporters both locally
and nationally. They have supported local events.
Coleg Cambria Northop College
A group of students in
the 'Life Skills' classes
produced some
excellent displays
depicting home made
poppies and artefacts
from WW1. They
raised £519 for Poppy
Appeal.
One member of staff has organised an Honour walk
based around Llangollen Sun 21st June. More details
later or on request.
Thank you for your continued efforts so that we can help
our beneficiaries
Well done!!
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NATIONAL NEWS
Summer Thames Boat Cruise
Thursday 2nd July
If you would like to find out more about gifts in Wills,
please contact Liz Fredericks, Legacy Manager
(T: 020 3207 2259, lfredericks@britishlegion.org.uk)
or Lauren Barr, Legacy Marketing Coordinator
(020 3053 7007, lbarr@britishlegion.org.uk). Or
alternatively, visit http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/getinvolved/legacies/leave-a-legacy .
Aylesford Update
2015 poppy pins are in stock and can be ordered via
PAOs Regional Administrators, but please only order
what you require for now and any events through the
summer.
As summer gets underway, we will be cruising along the
Thames for a fabulous summer party. The Legion has
chartered the stunning Silver Sturgeon, one of the most
luxurious Thames cruisers, for a chance to party under
the stars whilst enjoying the gentle pace of the river.
After being welcomed on board with champagne, join us
for an evening of relaxing fun and dine with us as
London’s amazing skyline passes gently by.
Aylesford are now in the construction phase of their
online ordering programme for PAOs. There are a
number of PAOs that are assisting with this and they will
also be helping as Aylesford progress to the testing
phase. Ray Sheppard Head of Poppy Appeal will
ensure that all PAOs are kept up to date as they move
through the project and it is hoped to have some of the
PAO volunteers online by the next Appeal.
Corporate Partners Activity for VE Day
After dinner, there will be time to dance the rest of the
night away to music from the Central Band of The Royal
British Legion and take your chances in our floating
casino before it is time to return to Westminster Pier and
dry land.
Tickets £250 each with tables of 8 or 10 available as
well as cosy booths for 6.
Contact Rebecca on 020 3207 2272,
rpride@britishlegion.org.uk
Online booking: www.britishlegion.org.uk/thamescruise
Coventry Building Society, Warner Hotels and Marks &
Spencer have all kindly agreed to make VE Day pins
available. They will be asking for a suggested donation
of £2 with 100% of the proceeds coming to the Legion.
Gifts in Wills
Johnston Press, one of the largest local media
companies in the country, will be making a VE Day
supplement for all readers during May.
In 2012/13, 895 supporters generously left gifts in their
Wills. This generated an amazing £11,931,000 for the
Royal British Legion. This income can be broken down
amongst the regions as follows:
eBay, will be encouraging donations at checkout from
the 4-8th of May. There will also be a banner advertising
VE Day celebrations on eBay's homepage on the run up
to the appeal.
Warner Leisure Hotels will be hosting VE Day
celebration parties at their 13 country and coastal hotels
across the UK. Guests will come together to join the
celebration with great food and entertainment, but most
importantly to raise funds for the Legion.
Gifts in Wills are extremely important for the Legion and
we would love your help in promoting the importance of
this method of giving amongst our supporters and
volunteers.
Gifts in Wills help the Royal British Legion to plan for the
future and although we don’t know what challenges we
will face, we have confidence that we can continue to
improve the lives of thousands of serving members of
the Armed Forces, ex-Service men and women and
their families.
Westminster Collection, a long-term partner of the
charity, will be launching a free VE Day medal (above),
with £1.50 post and packing, and will donate 50p to the
Legion for each medal that’s claimed. Available from the
end of April, for details visit www.freevedaymedal.co.uk
Wild and Wolf will be hosting a staff party at their Head
Office in Bath and staff will be getting dressed up 1940’s
style. They will also be selling their ‘Home Front’ range
and emailing all buyers with information on how to get
involved.
In the lead up to VE Day more corporate partners will be
announcing their plans to commemorate the
anniversary. For any questions please email
corporatepartnerships@britishlegion.org.uk.
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