Dear all.

This Saturday 24th October at 1pm, we have our Branch AGM. This will take place in the Zilveren Hoofd cafe upper room.

All current Officer and Committee posts are available for election however, most current Branch Officers and Committee members have requested their wish to re stand for re election.

Our long standing treasurer will not be standing for re election as after many years of sterling service, he now wishes for another life and we understand this.

We also require a Branch Secretary as this post became vacant recently and requires urgent replacement.

This a very busy post and without doubt, is probably the most necessary post of the Branch, but it does come with great job satisfaction and for any capable persons out there who may wish to take up this most important post, I'm sure you will really appreciate and enjoy occupying this most respectful of posts.

The problem we have over here, is we are a large Branch worldwide regarding membership, but very small as per actual Branch Officers on the ground in Ypres itself. We do manage to achieve the necessary Remembrance and Commemoration duties that are requested from us but we do now need to put right the posts of Treasurer and especially that of Branch Secretary.

If you are interested in learning more about the above required posts, please go http://www.ypresbranchrbl.vpweb.co.uk/ and contact us via the email facility on the contact us page. Thank you.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes

Chris Lock
Vice Chairman
RBL Ypres Branch.

Hi

So are these posts open to UK residents?

The post of Secretary is available in the UK, provided they have a telephone, PC, internet and are happy about postage duties. However, the AGM today revealed the post of treasurer is to remain local for many sound financial reasons.

Do you have someone in mind?

I have just spoken to Iain ref your question and he instructs me to ask you to keep an eye on the Branch web site. He also said he would be delighted to hear more on your question or if you have any recommendations??

No just interested

Soren,

The Treasurers Post is restricted to local nominees as most of our Branch banking is done here. The Secreteries post is open to those outside of the local area as long as they have the listed communication methods.

Regards

Iain

So how will they take minutes? via video link? just asking as it seems bizarre, of all the expats I know in Ieper with long military service it seems rather strange that they are not involved anymore....

There are a plethora of skilled people around us here on the ground in Ieper the fact that they are not utilised should make the club look at its self more closely and why people allegedly find it difficult to work with the RBL Ypres representatives

There is nothing bizarre about it at all mate. Anyone can take the minutes of a meeting and then email them, along with secretarial requests to the Secretery. If we have a Secretery that is forthcoming locally for the post then that obviously wont happen but if they are UK based (or elsewhere) then it will. Many of the overseas Branches of the RBL operate like this and work perfectly. If you know of someone whom you think can fulfill this role within the Ypres Branch, please do let us know by email, PM or text me.

Iain

I have no agenda, so please don't take it personally, it just pxzzes me off that the rbl is about looking after ex-services (please correct me if I am wrong ) however seems to have alienated the local veterans without even noticing

Iain

whats happening with the old Legion building next to St Georges

Chris

It belongs to the English Church, the RBL no longer uses it

Soren

what happened there then

Chris

Soren,

The RBL is about looking after those men and women, and their families, regardless of nationality who have been under the pay of the British Forces. If there is a local Belgian Veteran who needs help and is not eligible for help from the Royal British Legion then all we can do is alert the local Veterans Associations relevant to that person. As a Branch, we have very strong links with both Belgian and French Veterans Associations - you will have seen this at the Harry Patch memorial evening on the 22nd September. I also head up the Welfare Committee within the Ypres Branch so if you are aware of a Veteran, eligible and needing help from the RBL, residing in our area, please do let me know. If the Veteran is not eligible for RBL help let me know anyways and I will inform the relevant Veterans Association. If you do have a potential welfare case, then please inform me by private means as I will not discuss welfare issues on a public forum.

Chris,

The Church Hall (The Old St Georges School), since March this year, is no longer the meeting place of the Ypres Branch of the RBL. For the present time we hold our meetings at the Silveren Hoofd on Rijselsestraat and any social gathering at the Ramparts Cafe, by the Lille Gate.

Regards to you both

Iain

Iain

the Ramparts Cafe is very good place to hold a social gathering

Wont be volunteering to be your Branch Secretary as I have my own branch to look after

All The Best

Chris

Hi Chris,

Are you over for the 11th this year?

Iain

Iain

unfortunately I wont as Im laying our branch wreath at the March War Memorial - also the war memorial is being rededicated as there are some new plaques being fitted & as yours truly was the researcher I think it is best I go

Chris

Nice one Chris. That is most respectful and probably the correct decision. Anyway, I'm sure when you do get over here, let our Branch know and we would be delighted to share a few of Fabienne's beers with you.

Best wishes

Chris.

Hi Chris,

email sent to Branch requesting more information.

Regards

Jeremy

Roger that Jeremy.

If you use the email auto forward facility on the Branch web site, it automatically arrives at my desk however, if you wish to email the Chairman Iain McHenry personally, you will find his personal email address there likewise.

As soon as we receive it, we will follow it up and deal with immediately.

Thank you.

Best wishes

Chris.

Hi Jeremy.

Thank you for email, I have forwarded it onto the Chairmans desk. It is much appreciated and we look forward to meeting you soon at our Branch HQ.

We wish you a safe and enjoyable journey and if you require any more info before arrival, just shout OK!

Best wishes

Chris.