The Royal British Legion
Henley-on-Thames Branch
DIARY DATES 2026
MEMBERSHIP FEE INCREASE
Our members will recall that RBL annual membership fees increase by £2 each year, meaning that the rate on 1st October 2026 (or whenever your membership becomes due) will become £24 plus our Branch fee of £3. The Branch fee is to be reduced to just £1 for the foreseeable future according to a resolution at last year’s AGM, but unfortunately due to an administrative error the implementation of this has been delayed until next year, for which we do apologise. May we take this opportunity to renew our enormous thanks for your support of the Branch and thereby of our armed forces and their families who ultimately benefit from our fund raising efforts adding to the Poppy Appeal. We very much appreciate your loyalty and hope you will continue with us.
Monthly meetings are on the 2nd Thursday each month, below are details of booking and a schedule of dates for your diary.
• Venue - Henley Rugby Club, Menza Restaurant.(parking 50p).
• Lunch - will consist of a delicious main course with an alternative vegetarian dish, scrumptious pudding and coffee or tea.
• Timings - 45-minute talk from 11.30 (please be seated by 11.20) and lunch 12.30.
We very much look forward to seeing you and you are welcome to gather at the bar for a drink from 10.45 a.m. before moving to the adjoining meeting room for the talk and lunch.
NB Booking & Payment must be made by the Thursday before the Tuesday lunch.
Please book with Karen in the first instance by email: HenleyOnThames.Secretary@rbl.community or phone her on 07990 833241
Then please pay £20 for the lunch preferably by Bank Transfer to:
RBL Henley or by Cheque made out to:
A/c 00027756 Henley-on-Thames Branch
Sort Code - 30-94-13 c/o Kathy Bardwell-Springett
Ref - Lunch Branch Treasurer - 5 The Maltings, Hart Street,
Henley-on-Thames, RG9 2FE
NB re car parking - If you would like to park at the Rugby Club we will collect 50p from you on your arrival and pay it into the club for you. All you need to do is to put a note in your car window saying RBL LUNCH
LUNCHEON DATES 2026
Thursday August 13th Richard Pinches: “Confessions of an Advertising Photographer”
Thursday September 26th John Green on his travels in Ethiopia.
Thursday October 8th Tim Came – "Great Grandmother’s War as a Reserve". The lead up and life during the WWI from a female perspective based on
the diaries of Tim’s great grandmother.
Sunday November 8th Remembrance Sunday Lunch – No Speaker.
Monday December 14th Christmas Lunch – No Speaker.
LUNCHEON DATES 2027
Thursday January 14th Neil Pitts, “What Could Possibly Go Wrong?”. Writer & Motivational Speaker on his journey from Long Covid to the northernmost point of Europe.
Thursday February 11th Angus Ross, member & ex-RAF pilot and ex-RAF Air Commodore Richard Miller will talk about RAF Henley-on-Thames.
Thursday March 11th Reverend Pippa Thorneycroft (ret’d) talks about her years as Chaplin to the late Queen Elizabeth II
Thursday April 8th Venla Freeman will talk about her service with the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (Princess Royal's Volunteer Corps) a British independent all-female which provides surge relief to civil and military authorities in an emergency. It was formed in 1907 and was active in both nursing and intelligence work during the World Wars.
Thursday May 1th Speaker. TBC
Thursday June 10th Speaker. TBC
JULY SUMMER RECESS no speaker.
Thursday August 12th Speaker. TBC
Tim Came's Barry Brothers
June 2025 Talk.
R Pinches' D-Day
talk Nov 2024.
