FORTHAMPTON & District Royal British Legion services for Remembrance Day, Sunday: The branch service this year is being held at St John the Baptist Church, Chaceley at 3pm. Everyone is invited to attend. After the service members and any other members of the public are invited to Forthampton War Memorial where the branch padre, the Rev David Bowers, will rededicate the memorial due to a plaque being fitted to the memory of Matthew Stuart who was killed during the Falklands Campaign, this will take place at 4pm. At 11am on November 11 the public are asked to observe the two minutes silence whereever they are. At Forthampton this will take place at the War Memorial. Some members have promised to attend the 11am service at Tirley Parish Church when the Rev John Forryan will take the service.

2001 branch annual general meeting was held in Forthampton Clubroom on Monday, October 8 at 7.45pm. The chairman, K I B Yeaman, opened the meeting by welcoming the members present. The president F Remmer, before the Act of Remembrance and Exhortation, asked the members to remember any fallen comrades during the last year. Minutes of last year's AGM were read and passed. In his presidential report F Remmer stated the branch had been represented at Remembrance services, festivals, county conference, group meetings, St George's Day service, Three Counties parade and service, group service and county rally in Gloucester. Fundraising: Bingo, coffee morning, skittles evening, super dance etc, he thanked all members and friends who had helped in any way, and hoped the branch would continue to function. The chairman presented his report by thanking the committee which, without their help and efforts, the branch could not function. He was pleased that at long last the plaque to Matthew Stuart had been fitted and he thanked Forthampton Parish Council for this. Last year's Remembrance Service had been cancelled at Chaceley due to floods and rearranged at Forthampton. Treasurers report: G Moss stated the branch finances were in a healthy state and had been audited. The election of officers then took place: Patron J S Yorke, president F Remmer, vice-president Lt Col A Sharp MBE & N J Pittman, chairman K I B Yeaman, vice-chairman D W Bartlett, treasurer G Moss, hon secretary R C N Ascough. (the treasurer & hon secretary stated that they will continue only for a short period of time), padres Rev D Bowers and Rev C Moss, standard bearer R S Ball, poppy organiser Miss B Greenwood, branch representatives F Remmer, N J Pittman and D W Bartlett.

Fundraising for 2002: Bingo, coffee morning and supper dance. Affiliation fee, at the National Conference after a series of proposals and amendments this has been raised to £7.50 for each member. At the meeting this was strongly discussed and after a vote it was narrowly decided this had to be accepted. Christmas gifts, these to be provided and distributed as in previous year. Vote of thanks: K I B Yeaman thanked all members who had helped the branch during the year, he then closed the meeting, the secretary distributed membership cards and collected fees. Members then had in refreshments. Meeting closed at 9.15pm.