POTTERNE BRANCH
President:
Sqn Ldr John Mann MBE BSc
------Chairman------John Chandler
The Royal British Legion Potterne Branch
Chairman's Newsletter for October 2020
Harvest Thanksgiving drive-in went well here on the farm despite the early October monsoon.
Finding inventive ways to make things happen when Covid-19 is trying to stop us is a challenge we are willing to accept. That principle will apply to Remembrance Sunday on the 8th of November. New restrictions on social gathering have changed the dynamic of both Civil and Church Remembrance Services. Branch President John Mann along with his super-exited tech team carry the expertise when it comes to the Zoom communication stuff and I have asked him to construct some notifications explaining the setup for you to read after this piece. The intention of the Parish Council, Legion Branch and the St Mary's Church team is for the Remembrance Sunday Service to be as inclusive as possible.
So many Potterne groups came forward to be represented by laying a Wreath at the War Memorial last year I would like the same to happen again this year. To make that a reality I will carry over for this Remembrance the Wreaths that were laid last year and I will re-lay them during the Remembrance Service myself in respect to those community groups. Should anyone reading this like a Wreath laid in honour of the Fallen on behalf of Service personnel, or like to be represented at the War Memorial Remembrance Wreath laying please contact me; John Chandler 01380 725643 - the Royal British Legion Branch would be pleased to honour your request.
Armistice Day the 11th of the 11th 11am for many is an important time to stop and remember the fallen. This year the Potterne RBL Branch will support an Armistice Remembrance event at Soldiers Walk; those wishing to join us at Soldiers Walk 10.50am will be welcome. Outside social distance rules will apply. Please contact me for details.
This year’s Poppy Appeal is also affected by the Covid plague. There will be no door to door collecting. Potterne Poppy’s will be placed by the RBL Branch at various “Poppy Station” locations. The National Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal setup will find ways for us to wear our Poppy with pride and I suspect other local branches such as the Devizes Branch will have Poppy’s available. Please lookout for way to donate to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal as your donation is so vital to Service, ex-Service, Veterans and their Beneficiaries in so many ways.
To be honest with you this Covid chaos has ruined this year’s membership of the RBL Branch for me and others must be feeling the same, however I refuse to give up. I will be Covid sensible not Covid cowered. The Potterne RBL Branch has an honourable purposed position in our community. I’m sure you will agree we all have a duty to keep calm and carry on.
Remembrance Sunday notice to all Branch members:
Only the principal persons will be at the War Memorial for the Remembrance Service, the Potterne Parish Council representative, the Reverend Ali Bridewell, Branch President John Mann and the Branch Chairman. The Branch Standard Bearer will be safely in attendance. The Congregation will be distanced within the Church Yard.
The Exhortation; They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old, age shall not weary them nor the years condemn, at the going down of the sun and in the morning; We Will Remember Them.
Mrs C said she was going to start feeding me with bird seed, “is that because you think I’m cheep”? I quipped; no she replied; it’s to make you more chirpy!
John Chandler, Branch Chairman.
Unveiling of signs at Soldiers' Walk
We had planned a short ceremony at Soldiers' Walk on 11th Nov, but due to COVID-19 this had to be cancelled. However, Teresa Chandler, who originally coined the name "Soldiers' Walk", held an informal unveiling of the new signs - watch the video above.
Remembrance Sunday Service
8th Nov 2020
Rifles lay wreath for Ivan Brown
Charlie Barker lays wreath on behalf of Potterne Social Club
EVERY POPPY COUNTS!
This guide shows how you can support the Royal British Legion in 2020.
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Poppies in Potterne
There will not be the usual door-to-door poppy collections. However, you will be able to buy a poppy in the Silver Street shop, the Social Club, and the George & Dragon Inn (tbc). Furthermore, you will find "Poppy Stations" popping-up in various locations in the village during early November, offering a no-contact way of purchasing a poppy. -
Online Poppy Donations
If you donate online to the Royal British Legion, you will receive a link to download an "Every Poppy Counts" A4 poster (see photo) to display in your window.* It would be good to see Potterne's windows full of poppies by Remembrance Sunday! To donate online, follow this link:
DONATE AND DOWNLOAD POSTER. -
Donate by Phone
Call the Royal British Legion's friendly fundraising support team on
0845 845 1945 -
Donate by Text
To donate £2, text POPPY2 to 70545*
To donate £5, text POPPY5 to 70545*
To donate £10, text POPPY10 to 70545*
*Texts cost £2, £5, or £10 plus one standard network rate message (typically 97% of the donation amount goes to the Royal British Legion).
The Royal British Legion will contact you by text on the mobile number you used to allow you to let them know how you would like to be contacted in the future and to find out whether you would like to add Gift Aid to your donation. -
Donate by Post
Please print off a donation form and return to: Freepost Plus RTZT-ATBH-RGBZ, The Royal British Legion, Bumpers Way, Bumpers Farm, Chippenham, SN14 6NG.