ASHBURTON – Some 22 members attended the branch annual meeting in the Ashburton Conservative Club, a significant increase on previous years. There was one change to the officers, where John Golding, the treasurer for the past eight years, handed over the reins to Jean Donnelly. Those re-elected were: president – Tony Pugh; vice presidents – Mike Posner and Jack Barkley; chairman – David Lewis; vice-chairman – Maurice Mann; secretary – Irene Golding; Poppy Appeal organiser – Maurice Mann; membership secretary – Pauline Short; press officer – Kath Pugh; standard bearer – Jack Barkley; social secretary – Jean Donnelly.

ASHBURTON WOMEN'S SECTION – Half-a-dozen members attended the annual meeting along with the chaplain, the Rev Preb Philip Darby. He congratulated the standard bearer, Doreen Lewis, on her dedication to duty during the year. Mrs Lewis carried the RBL Women's Section county standard at the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall. Mrs Lewis and Eileen Egbeare attended the Teignmouth branch 80th anniversary event, and three members and the standard bearer went to the Teign Group Conference. Several members also attended the Devon Festival of Remembrance at Exeter University on November 9, and the annual Portreeve's Poppy Ball in Ashburton Town Hall, on November 10. Incidentally, the National Conference next year is being held in Bournemouth, in April. Officers elected were: president – Ruby Waterhouse; chairman – Mary Dennis; vice-chairman – Margaret Worthington; treasurer – Doreen Lewis; press officer – Eileen Egbeare; standard bearer – Doreen Lewis.

Cabaret night was real treat DAWLISH – Those of you who missed the Dawlish Cabaret Night, organised by the RBL club at the Golden Sands Holiday Park, on Saturday, missed a real treat. It featured the talented Bruce Parker, whose vocals ranged from the 50s and 60s Motown, the Soul of the 70s and 80s, and rhythm and blues through to today's hits. Within seconds of him appearing on stage the dance floor was packed. And what about Ruby Washington, a power-packed voice who brought the evening alive from the word go? Ruby, who lives in Newton Abbot, was part of the original female vocal group The Divas, before embarking on a glittering solo career which has seen her travel the globe and play at some of the world's most prestigious venues. Comedian/magician Roy Charles was a laugh a minute, and compere Jonathan Cooper, who began his career with Shane Ritchie and Brian Conley when they were all Blue Coats at Pontins in Brixham, had everyone in stitches. The evening, sponsored by Co-op Retail, which also featured an auction, was rounded off with a disco by Galaxy Entertainments. The Dawlish RBL Club, recently voted joint best RBL Entertainment Venue in the south west, with Truro RBL, brought together this incredible galaxy of stars through entertainments manager Chris Moyse and his committee. A proportion of the proceeds is going to the Poppy Appeal with the remainder to the club's building fund, towards essential refurbishment of the Park Road club. Congratulations to Dawlish RBL on a first-class evening and I can't wait for next year's event – if I can get a ticket that is. One thing is certain, they will be like gold dust.

Standard bearers visit home KINGSTEIGNTON WOMEN'S SECTION – The branch and women's section standard bearers Peter Jackman and Hilary Satterley, together with chairman Joan Gillson and welfare officer Len Holland, made a surprise visit to the village's Penns Mount Residential Home, on November 11. Mrs Gillson and Mr Holland presented poppies to all the residents, including 102-year-old Muriel Putz. The annual meeting was held on November 8 when all officers and committee were re-elected en bloc. Mrs Gillson thanked everyone for their support during the past 12 months and hoped members would each be able to recruit at least one new member during the coming year. Secretary Doris Marshall is representing Kingsteignton at the county women's conference next month. Standard bearer Mrs Satterley has represented the women's section at various events around the area recently, including the County Poppy Appeal Launch in Exeter, the special National Hunt race meeting for the Poppy Appeal at Exeter racecourse, and the Remembrance Day Service in Kingsteignton, where president Nancy Coaker laid the wreath.