The Wolverton Express February 17th 1928
BRITISH LEGION ANNUAL MEETING. The growing interest in the work of the British Legion was demonstrated at the annual general meeting of the Castlethorpe Branch held at its headquarters, the Carrington Hall, on Wednesday week. Not only were excellent reports of the year’s work given, but the attendance of members was larger than at any previous meeting. Mr. A. Burbidge presided and at the commencement of the meeting he referred to the loss sustained by the Branch during the past year by the death of Mr. W. Axon and Lieut.-General Sir Arthur Holland. He also referred to the loss the British Legion had sustained nationally by the passing of Earl Haig. The members present paid a silent tribute to their memory and also to the memory of fallen comrades in the war.
Mr. W. T. Clarke, hon. secretary, read a statement of accounts for the past year, which showed a balance in hand of £18, which was almost double that of the previous year. He also gave a brief survey of the activities of the branch during the year and referred to the fact that three cases had been assisted in that period by the supply of goods and in one case a member was sent to the Legion’s Convalescent Home at Bournemouth. The membership of last year was 27 ordinary members and 7 honorary members, which had increased at the present time to 38 ordinary and 11 honorary members and a further increase of this number is anticipated. At the commencement of the winter, the Recreation Club was re-opened under a different system. A series of monthly whist drives was arranged and these very efficiently under-taken by Mr. A. Masterman, one of the Branch’s most energetic honorary members, had proved highly successful. Each succeeding drive had shown increased attendance and at the last held 98 tickets were sold and 88 players took part. It was the largest drive that had been held in the village.
The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted in the following being appointed: Mr. J. E. Whiting (president) in succession to the late General Sir Arthur Holland; Mr. F. F. Brown, Mr. J. J. Cannon, and Major A. G. T. Smith (vice-presidents), Mr. C. W. Harding (chairman), Mr. J. Cowley (vice-chairman), Mr. W. T. Clarke (assistant hon. secretary), Mr. W. D. Markham, Mr. R. Evans, Mr. P. Parker, Mr. T. W. Wenlock, Mr. R. Panter, and Mr. J. Gobbey (committee).
Mr. A. Burbidge, who did not seek re-election as chairmen, was thanked for his work in that office during the past year. The meeting decided to make a donation of three guineas to the Northampton General Hospital.
The children’s holiday for the ensuing year was discussed and it was decided that it be arranged on similar lines to last year except that it be held in July instead of September. It was also decided that a member’s outing be again held this year, the arrangements for which, to be made later. Owing to the lateness of the hour, a report by Mr. J. Cowley, the representative of the Branch, who attended the funeral of Earl Haig, was deferred until the next meeting.
