 Sunday
22nd January, Annual County Conference.
The Annual County Conference and Standard Bearers
Competition this year was hosted by Stoke-on-Trent No2
Group in Newcastle under Lyme. The conference was held
the Newcastle under Lyme Borough Council Chamber at the
Civic Offices Merrial Street and the Standard Bearers
Competition at the TA Centre.
Caption: Mayor of Newcastle under Lyme Councillor Colin
Brooks and County Chairman Ken Compton laying wreaths at
the War Memorial before the start of the conference.
Amongst the guests where the Mayor of Newcastle under
Lyme Councillor & Mrs Colin Brooks, Keynote
speaker Mr Andrew Baines (Taking The Legion Forward
Programme Manager), Mr Martyn Tighe (National Board of
Trustees Member and former County Chairman) Mr & Mrs
Alan Batham (West Midland Regional Organiser) and Branch
Delegates attending the conference.
Before the start of the conference there was a
remembrance ceremony took place at the Newcastle under
Lyme War Memorial. Wreaths were laid on behalf of the
Borough by the Mayor Councillor Colin Brooks, County
Chairman Ken Compton, Stoke-on-Trent No2 Group Chairman
Bob Rankin and Geoff Davis retiring County Vice-Chairman
and President of Newcastle, Chesterton & District
Branch. Accompanied by two excellent buglers who played
"The Last Post" from Burton-upon-TrentBranch and a good
turnout of Group & Branch Standard Bearers from across
North Staffordshire.
Mr Andrew Baines (General
Manager New Legion Clubs) gave an interesting and
informative talk about his new project New Legion Clubs.
The concept behind New Legion Clubs had gown out of the
Taking The Legion Forward and Legion In The Community
Programmes. He told the conference that the overall
objective of the new clubs programme plan is to
transform RBL clubs into attractive social centres,
creating an integral role for them within the new RBL
membership organisation.
Ken Compton the newly elected County Chairman reported
to the Conference on the Five Year Plan, changes to the
County Bye-Laws. Ken and the County President Ken
Fielding presented County Appreciation Certificates in
recognition of services rendered to the county by
Mr.......... as the late Hixon Branch Standard Bearer,
Mr Martyn Tighe former County Chairman and Geoff Davis
retiring County Vice Chairman.
The Annual Standard Bearers Competition this year was
won by Mr Derek Bunting of the Stafford Branch. The
competition was held at the TA Centre at the invitation
of 58 Royal Signals Squadron TA. A better than
average field of entrants attended this year and the
competition was judged by two top notch judges Mrs Kath
Burton and Mr Wilf Overton both from Shropshire Royal
British Legion. It is hoped that we will be able to
retain their services again for next year.
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