Men’s Fellowship Breakfasts - Richard Jackman
At the November breakfast Lt Gen (Rtd) James Bashall, a past National President of the Royal British Legion, spoke about the origins of the RBL as well as the important work it has done and continues to do, not only in providing welfare support but also in leading the nation in remembrance as well as holding the government’s feet to the fire on important issues affecting service personnel. He painted an upbeat picture of a charity that remains relevant to current generations today. Breakfasters were moved to donate approximately £230 his nominated charity, ‘Lean on Me’, a project under the Always a Rifleman Programme, which delivers support in the first few hours of an emerging crisis and paves the way to wellness.
At the next breakfast, on Monday 1st December, breakfasters will hear from Sally Johnson, Wiltshire Council Public Health Strategist, who has been the driving force behind the rolling out across Wiltshire Council, and other organisations in the county involved in public service, an innovative programme called Five to Thrive (FiTT). FiTT employs understanding the latest brain science to improve human connections through managing emotions, promoting wellbeing, supporting recovery from trauma and building resilient and compassionate individuals and communities.
On Monday 5th January the speaker comes from in-house. Nicholas Walters, who previously gave breakfasters some fascinating insight into the steel industry, returns to talk about a remarkable man, Sir Archibald McIndoe. He is most well known for employing his skills as a plastic surgeon to improve the treatment and rehabilitation of badly burned aircrew during WW2. His patients formed 'The Guinea Pig Club', which had membership of over 650 by the end of the war. He later went on to employ these and other medical skills as a co-founder of the African Medical & Research Foundation (AMREF) Flying Doctors, which operated across East Africa.
The breakfasts take place at The George Inn, Longbridge Deverill beginning at 8.15am. The cost is £15, of which £2 will go towards the charity of the speaker's choice. Please note, this is not a club, but is open to all. Just contact the organisers via email ( uwvmfb@gmail.com), before the preceding Friday at the latest, if you'd like to attend.