BRANCH PRESIDENT

 

Wolfgang Meinhardt

Wolfgang was born in Minden, North Rhein Westphalia, and after completing his education he joined the Bundesmarine (Germany Navy). In between postings with the Defence Ministry Bonn he was posted to the Destroyer “Rommel”. After his naval service Wolfgang became a member of the Heavy Pionierbataillon 130, Minden (German Army). He served for six years as Stadtmajor (Town Major) of the Burgerbataillion of Minden. Having left the German Military Wolfgang returned to the family export business. He is married to Barbara Zamek-Meinhard. They have three children and four grandchildren.

 

BRANCH CHAIRMAN

 

Petra Hanley

Introduction:

 

My way into the RBL is a little unusual…

German born and bred, I married a soldier, fresh out of the army and I was a stay at home mum to raise our 4 children. On one of our holidays to UK I was introduced to the game of Bingo, which I enjoyed playing very much. Such a shame I could only play it over there….

One day my husband came home to tell me that I could play Bingo every week if I wanted to. He had heard on the grapevine, that the RBL had a Bingo club and were looking for new members.  So off I went to see what it was like. I had never heard of the RBL or what it stands   for, except when Stan Ogden (Coronation Street) fancied a pint somewhere other than the Rovers. I started playing Bingo and after a while joined the legion as an associate in 2002, simply because it was cheaper to pay the annual fee than the weekly one as a non member.

For quite some time that was my only involvement in the legion, until someone asked me for a lift to the next branch meeting. That was when I decided to find out about this organization and what it stands for. I started asking questions and got more and more involved without realizing it. I went to all the branch meetings and most of the functions and soon found myself on the committee… From here it was uphill all the way. A few years ago the associates were made into full members.

I was asked to become the secretary for the branch (2007) and after considering it I took on that post. It was a lot of work, but also a lot of fun and I met so many lovely people in the process. I thought   I would be the secretary forever… Little did I know what was in store for me? I hadn’t even finished one of the two years I was elected for when I heard of my branches plan for me to become Chairman of this branch (2008). At this point slight panic took over my heart and my soul. But if a job is worth doing and this one definitely is, it’s worth doing to the best of your ability. So I took part in   any course or seminar available, to be able to fulfill my commitment to the Royal British Legion. So many people depend on it. Although I still, to this day, have my doubts whether I can do this office justice. But there are still  courses  with subjects I need to learn about .I will continue to do my very best  to help this branch do everything in its power to fulfill the aims of the rbl and now here I am , proud to say, “Hello, my name is Petra Hanley ,  chairman of the Minden Branch!”

 

BRANCH VICE CHAIRMAN

 

Malcolm "Mike" Simpson

Introduction

Malcolm started his military career as a national serviceman with the Royal Airforce Police. He later changed to the regular service. In 1968 he transferred from the R.A.F. to the Army. He was commissioned in 1981 and retired after a long and colourful service at the age of 55. He joined the Minden Branch in 2006. He lives in Minden with his wife Elisabeth the Branch Poppy Appeal Organisor.

 

BRANCH SECRETARY

 

 

GEORGINA McGregor

Introduction:

For those members who don’t know me, I would like to introduce myself:  My name is Georgina McGregor.

My parents are James and Petra Hanley.

I have been a member of the Minden Branch of the Royal British Legion since October 2002.

 

I joined the Royal British Legion because my mother and I played bingo and it was cheaper if you are a member. At that point, I didn’t even now what the Royal British Legion was. When I left the bingo and the Royal British Legion it didn’t mean anything to me. When my mother became the secretary I had to help her because she didn’t know how to work the computer. I saw what mum did and learned a bit what the Royal British Legion does. After a while mum explained it to me and then I decided to become a member. As I came to understand what the Royal British Legion stands for, my interest grew.

Two weeks later I was asked to be the honorary secretary and did some seminar’s and really put my heart into it, and was proud to join the Royal British Legion and to be the Branch secretary.

I still have a lot to learn about the job but every journey begins with the first step.

 

Although I am young and relatively inexperienced in Royal British Legion matters, I can promise one thing only; and that is to carry out my duties to the Royal British Legion, the Minden Branch and its members to the best of my abilities.

 

I would ask those members who may doubt my ability to serve, to at least give me the chance to repay the faith put in me by those who elected me to this position

 

BRANCH TREASURER

 

Kenneth Adams

Introduction:

 Kens served in REME in Germany, Kenya, and Aden.

He worked for REME in Minden Wksp for 22 years, last 13 years as Workshop Foreman of the Heavy B Vehicle and A & G.

Joined RBL Minden 1996 carried out various duties, Vice Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer. At present Branch Treasurer.

Qualified Caseworker since 1997,

Attended Progressive Caseworks course in UK 2004,

Attended Branch Treasurer Course in UK 2006,

Qualified Independent Examiner 2002,

Member of District of Germany Welfare Advisory Committee since 2003.

 POPPY APPEAL ORGANISOR

 

Elisabeth Simpson

Mrs. Elisabeth Simpson, our Poppy Appeal Organiser, has a long association

With the British Forces.

Working initially in 1959 as a locally employed secretary / Clerk to the Air

Ministry Works Department.

After meeting her husband Malcolm and marrying in 1962, she travelled the world as a Service Wife, bring up two sons.

She joined the R.B.L. Minden Branch in 2003, after sampling the social life and

Bingo evenings.

She is very committed to raising Funds for the Annual "Poppy Appeal", and would

Appreciate any good ideas,