Description of what the organisation does :-
The Edington Branch, The Royal British Legion was formed on 5th October 1924, making it one of the oldest branches in the County, and, although the original minutes of the forming of the branch no longer exist we know that the first meeting proper was held on 7th January 1925 in the Council School where the officers and committee were elected. Some of the original committee were survivors of the First World War.
Since then the branch has had its ups and downs but through the efforts of its members has managed to keep its presence in the village.
Things have really changed since its founding, with several moves of meeting place but we are now of “fixed abode” and meet at The Three Daggers, (formerly The Lamb) on a regular basis.
The aim of the RBL is to help serving members of the Armed Forces, ex –Service men and women (veterans), their families and dependents all year-round. We provide practical care, advice and support to the Armed Forces family, welfare being at the heart of everything we do. The Legion works with all political parties, campaigning to improve the lives of all Service people – past, present and the future. They also organise the annual Poppy Appeal; remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice; safeguarding the memory of those who have given their lives for our freedom through the act of Remembrance education and events, and this helps raise money to help those in need today.
You do not have to have served to become a member, several of our officers and committee members are non forces but just have a strong feeling that our Service personnel deserve to be looked after and recognized.
After Remembrance Day is over, have you ever wondered where your donation has gone?
One of the ways your money is spent is right here in the county.
Tedworth House is the newest of the Army’s Personnel Recovery and Assessment Centres (PRACs). Key facilities such as temporary residential accommodation, classrooms, catering facilities and a gymnasium are now operating allowing in up to 26 recovering Armed Forces personnel to move in during July 2011.
Tedworth House is just one centre in the network of five Personnel Recovery Centres that form part of the Army Recovery Capability, a Tri-Service MoD venture supported by The Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes, and involving other Service charities. These centres will, within a military environment, deliver co-ordinated support to recovering personnel from across the Armed Forces.
Set in the heart of Tidworth Garrison, Wiltshire, one of the Army’s largest Garrison towns, Tedworth House will provide comprehensive support to wounded, injured and sick personnel and their families. Renovation work at Tedworth House is due to be completed in Spring 2012 and, when fully open, the centre will be able to provide comprehensive support and residential accommodation for up to 50 wounded, injured and sick personnel from all three Services in the south of England.
One of the first to arrive will be Rifleman Linden Woodford (21) of 3 RIFLES, who moved in to Tedworth House as a long-term resident on July 18. Linden, from Bournemouth, received shrapnel wounds to his stomach and internal organs following a fire fight in Afghanistan in December 2009.
“Having a place like this to stay means a lot. After my treatment in Birmingham and then Headley court I was stuck at home for six months, I didn’t dwell on things, but being here instead just speeds up your recovery. You have your own personal recovery officer who is always talking with you about what is going on, and you have got everything you need here. All the contacts you need for your future are here, and it also keeps your mind busy doing things.”
Help for Heroes has pledged a further £15million over ten years to the running costs of the centre, which is estimated to cost £1.5million a year. The Royal British Legion have also pledged several million pounds towards the operating costs, as have other organisations, while the recovery programme itself is provided by the Army and specialist agencies.
Contact name :- Secretary, Warren Tudor
Contact phone number :- 07225839941
Meeting frequency :- all meetings are on a Tuesday:- Dates for 2019 have been set as: 19th February, 23rd April, 25th June, 3rd September, 22nd October, and AGM 26th November.
Normal meeting time :- 7.30pm
Normal meeting place :- The Three Daggers
Further information about the Royal British Legion can be found here.