The Silent Tribute and Exhortation at our Annual General Meeting, were led by our Chairman, Bob Jennings, who also gave us a resume of the work he had carried out during the year with the Branch and with the Norfolk County Royal British Legion Committee, of which he is a member.

The Treasurer, Captain H B Moore, presented the annual accounts and was thanked for his services throughout the year. Thanks are also due to Mr Alan Mallett who kindly audited the accounts.

Officers re-elected for the coming year were:- President, J Campbell; Chairman, B Jennings; Vice-chairman, C E J Smith; Secretary, B Jordan; Treasurer, Captain H B Moore; Standard Bearer, E Watts; Welfare Secretary, Mrs M Montgomery; Poppy Appeal Organiser, Mrs K Lawrance.

The Welfare Secretary, Mrs Montgomery, sent a report summarising the welfare work she had carried out during the year for which she was thanked.

The Poppy Appeal Organiser, Mrs Kate Lawrance, reported that at the end of last year's Poppy Appeal the amount raised locally was £2,593, again an increase on the previous year. Mrs Lawrance and her band of helpers were thanked. This year she did not have enough collectors. If your street was without one - why not volunteer to cover it next year.

Members received an invitation from the Women's Section to attend their Christmas meeting at the Church Room, Coltishall on Wednesday 4th December at 2 pm.

Roger Birchall gave us a very interesting account of the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance in the Royal Albert Hall which he had attended.

Our next Branch meeting will be on Monday, 13th January 2003 in the Church Room, Coltishall at 7.30pm. You are invited.

Remembrance
In spite of the inclement weather, we had another successful Day of Remembrance. It started with a parade and service at Buxton. Eddie Watts carried the Branch Standard, wreaths were laid at the War Memorial and the Last Post and Reveille sounded. The service in church was conducted by the Reverend Chris Walter. It was pleasing to see the large number of members of youth organisations who attended. Wreaths were also laid at the Horstead War Memorial where the Last Post and Reveille were sounded by Michael Blackburn of the Salvation Army.

The United Service in Coltishall Church in the afternoon, was conducted by the Reverend Chris Walter and the address given by the Reverend Lorna Wood. Envoy G Robinson-Brett of the Salvation Army read the lesson and led prayers. Musical accompaniment was by Mrs G Plunkett on organ and the Salvation Army Mile Cross Band, Colin Foster, who also rendered a musical selection. A choral item was given by the Frettenham Singers.

The colours of the 54th Squadron RAF were paraded and supported by a representative officer from RAF Coltishall. Eddie Watts carried the Branch Standard and other standards were paraded from the Girl Guides, the Brownies and the Salvation Army.

We were pleased to welcome a group of children from the local Primary School but unfortunately the pews reserved for youth organisations were unused. This is a great pity because as we are fading away we need to hand on the torch of remembrance to succeeding generations, Lest We Forget, but if there are no youngsters being brought up in the tradition and meaning of Remembrancetide how are we to do this?

The Roll of Honour was read by Pauline Watts, Secretary Women's Section Royal British Legion. The Last Post and Reveille were sounded by Bram Nurse, Mile Cross Salvation Band. The Silence was heralded by the Royal British Legion Exhortation recited by Branch Chairman Bob Jennings and ended with the Kohima Exhortation by Charlie Smith. Following the service we proceeded, headed by the band, to the War Memorial where wreathes were laid and the Last Post and Reveille sounded. Excellent cover for the parade was given by the police. Our thanks are due to all those who assisted during the day and to Mrs K Moore and Mrs Anne Allen for the lovely floral arrangements in the church. At our Annual General Meeting special thanks were given to Eddie Watts and to Secretary Benjie Jordan who had been responsible for the arrangements.

In the evening Eddie Watts carried the Standard at a special service of remembrance at the Salvation Army Citadel in Norwich where our Vice-Chairman, C Smith laid a wreath on behalf of the Norfolk County Royal British Legion Committee.

Armistice Day
A number of us and parishioners gathered at the War Memorial on Armistice Day to observe the Two Minutes Silence at 11 o'clock. Eddie Watts again carried the Standard. Last Post and Reveille were sounded and prayers led by Benjie Jordan.