Mark Wright Memorial Bench

ASA Forces Charity have arranged a Remembrance event at Prestonfield Primary School, Edinburgh, EH16 5LJ

To present our Mark Wright ( 3 Para) GC Memorial Bench to his old primary school.



So that every child passing through the school is taught Mark's life story, his courage, bravery and sacrifice.



Date: 10th November 2022

Starts: 1:30pm

Ends: 2:30pm



His Majesty's Lord Lieutenant/Provost Cllr Robert Aldridge will unveil the Bench. We wondered if the Parachute Regiment would like to attend this event?


We would also welcome support from the Parachute Regiment now and in the future. So if you live near this location or even further afield we would really appreciate you joining us for this special occassion.

Pte John Lamont H.L.I

Members may recall we took a trip to Normandy a few years back and in our company was Pte John Lamont, H.L.I. and his Comrade in Arms and we watched them both go down to the Beach they landed on.

Sadly John passed away recently, and that's them both now gone, Lest We Forget.

The arrangements for John Lamont's funeral are as follows:


Tuesday 1st November 2022
Woodside Crematorium, Paisley.
14:30 Hours

The family have intimated that they would like a military presence at John's funeral. Accordingly standards are welcome, and our regimental pipers/Bugler have been requested. All on this list are welcome, and the family have expended an invitation to raise a dram to John's memory at the Royal British Legion Club in Renfrew after the funeral ceremony.

Royal British Legion Grant Scheme

The Royal British Legion, the UK's largest charity dedicated to supporting the Armed Forces community, has today launched a new grant scheme for veterans and their families who are struggling to pay their energy bills. The initiative will provide non-repayable emergency grants of up to £2,400 a year (£200 a month), and is available across the UK.

It's estimated there are 2 million UK armed forces veterans, according to the latest figures from the Ministry of Defence, though the Royal British Legion hasn't said how many might be able to benefit from the new grants. When we asked about the total funding available, the charity told us there was no set cut-off and that it wants to help as many members of the Armed Forces community as it can.

For further support with your energy bills – including if you're not part of the Armed Forces community – see our full Energy bill help guide.

Who can apply for the Royal British Legion grants

In general, the Armed Forces community includes those who have served, or are serving, in the Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Air Force, as well as their families, dependants and carers – which can include children, current and former spouses and partners, widows and widowers.

However, the Royal British Legion uses a broad definition of "Armed Forces community" – so even if you're not sure you fit in one of the categories above, it's worth checking your eligibility on its website or by calling its helpline on 0808 802 8080.

The grants are means-tested – but you DON'T have to be on state benefits

If you're currently getting any means-tested state benefits, such as universal credit, pension credit or income support, you should qualify automatically. 

But you could still be eligible for a grant even if you don't get any benefits – the Royal British Legion will check your income and expenditure to assess your needs. The charity told us that it encourages anyone struggling financially to apply, as it has flexibility to consider support for people who don't meet the means-testing.

Apply for a grant online or call the Royal British Legion on 0808 802 8080.

You can get up to £200 a month for up to a year, depending on your circumstances

If your application is successful, you'll get up to £200 a month for up to 12 months – the exact amount and duration will vary depending on your circumstances. You won't have to reapply every month, just once.

In most cases, you won't be paid in cash. Instead, you'll get one or more of the following depending on your situation:

  • Vouchers to top-up your gas or electricity prepayment meter.

  • A virtual credit card you can use to pay utility bills (the card would be restricted to this use).

  • Vouchers for food, clothing or household items.

  • Replacement white goods.

Why the Royal British Legion has launched these grants

The charity said it's taking action after seeing a 20% rise in requests for support with urgent needs, such as food and household costs, over the past 12 months. It expects this to continue to increase over the winter months.

Some members of the Armed Forces community are more vulnerable to rising costs than others, according to the Royal British Legion, with its research previously finding that working-age veterans were more likely to be sick or disabled than other UK adults of the same age.

Breaking News

The following arrangements have been confirmed for the recently departed Terry Kenyon:

Date:   Monday 3rd October 2022:

Funeral Service at the Sacred Heart Church, Brooke Street, Chorley, PR6 0NG

Burial at Gregory's Church, Weldbank Lane, Chorley, PR7 3NW

Gathering afterwards at St, George's Club, Trinity Road, Chorley, PR7 2DW.

Regards

Derek (Secretary Central Lancs PRA)

Proclamation

Good afternoon Sirs/All,

BLUF: Proclamation, George Square – Sunday 11th September 12.45pm

You are invited to attend the Proclamation of accession of Charles III, on George Square at 12.45pm on Sunday 11th September. If we could ask anyone attending to be on George Square for 12:15 where you will receive further direction from Mick Connor (RBLS Area Chairman).

It is requested that only your branch/association standards are paraded. No other standards are to be brought.

I do not have any other information other that what is here and I apologise for the limited brief. I have been asked to quickly send this out to generate awareness by Mick Connor on behalf of the Lord Provost.

Any questions please feel free to call my mobile over the weekend as emails may be missed!

Regards,

WO1 J Thompson | RSM |  6 SCOTS 

IMPORTANT NEWS

ALL PLEASE NOTE OUR BRANCH MEETING SCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY 5TH JUNE HAS UNFORTUNATELY HAD TO BE CANCELLED DUE TO THE UNAVAILABILTY OF A QUORAM OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS S SOME ARE EITHER SICK, WORKING AND ON HOLIDAY.

WE DO APOLOGISE SO ON THAT NOTE BE INFORMED THE NEXT BRANCH MEETING WILL BE ON SUNDAY 4TH SEPT 2022, COMMENCING AT 2PM.

PLEASE ACCEPT AN INVITATION THOUGH TO OUR VJ DAY SERVICE AND PDE ON SAT 13TH AUG 2022, AT THE VETS MONUMENT IN KNIGHTSWOOD COMMENCING 11.30AM

PLEASE SPREAD THE MESSAGE IF YOU DONT MIND

NOTE. AS OF THE TIMING OF THIS MESSAGE WE HAVE RECEIVED NO CORRESPONDENCE AS TO WHETHER THERE WILL BE AN AFD PDE IN GLASGOW