LegionLive

The Royal British Legion is partnering with MediCinema to open a new state-of-the-art cinema and entertainment centre this summer for injured Service personnel at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC), Headley Court.

The plans to adapt part of the Grade 2 listed building were given the green light this week and will create the first ever fully digital, 3D system dedicated to Service Personnel undergoing rehabilitation.　

The new cinema complex will show Hollywood blockbusters and films on current release up to three times a week. It is hoped that it will be up and running in time to screen the 2012 Games this summer.

The 50-seat cinema will be fully wheelchair accessible, with some seats accessible by steps to help those individuals redeveloping their mobility. It will make a significant contribution to the recuperation of Service personnel by providing them with some much-needed entertainment during their rehabilitation.　

The Legion has funded £420,000 towards the capital and operating costs of the cinema which MediCinema will build and manage.

Stephen Moore, MediCinema’s Chief Executive, said: “We are delighted to be providing a cinema of the highest quality at Headley Court. It has only been made possible by the generous support we’ve been given by so many people in the film industry as well as The Royal British Legion.”

Sue Freeth, Director of Health and Welfare at The Royal British Legion, said: “Injured Service personnel at DMRC Headley Court already receive the best medical care and rehabilitation and now The Royal British Legion and MediCinema are joining forces to give them the best entertainment experience, through a new state-of-the-art cinema. Rehabilitation is not only a huge physical challenge, but involves recuperating mentally as well. This excellent new facility will assist our brave Service personnel in doing just that.”

Commanding Officer of Headley Court, Group Captain Clare Walton, said: “This is a truly generous gesture from both The Royal British Legion and MediCinema. Service personnel undergoing rehabilitation here will, I am sure, be delighted to have their own cinema where they can enjoy the latest Hollywood blockbusters, hook up their games consoles to the big screen and enjoy sports and other programmes in the facility.”

We’ve got some very exciting news to share with you today The Two Worlds of Charlie F. is going on tour!

The Bravo 22 company, who are a group of wounded, injured and sick Service personel, took the West End by storm in January with their ‘one night only’ performance of ‘The Two Worlds of Charlie F’. The project, created by The Theatre Royal Haymarket Masterclass Trust in partnership with The Royal British Legion and Defence Recovery Capability, was so well received it was decided that the real-life stories of conflict and recovery will be taken to tens of thousands of people throughout the UK this summer.

The play will visit The New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham and The Sherman Cymru Theatre, Cardiff in July, The Pleasance Grand as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August before finally returning to London’s West End in early September.

Following the first performances, Ray Winstone commented:

“I am so proud and overwhelmed. It is the most moving play I’ve seen for a long, long time. The public should get behind this and be part of something unforgettable.”　

The production, which was born out of a collaborative project between The Theatre Royal Haymarket Masterclass Trust, The Royal British Legion and Defence Recovery Capability, has the aim of using a theatrical learning environment to aid recovery, build new skills and offer opportunities to those members of the Armed Forces transitioning into civilian life.

Commenting on the origins of the project and the success of the production and forthcoming tour Masterclass Creative Producer Alice Driver said:

“This all started 15 months　ago　as an idea inspired by the bravery of　a　wounded soldier I met　in　Queen　Elizabeth　Hospital,　Birmingham. The Bravo 22 Company was born out of this meeting; at its heart was the recovery of wounded, injured and sick Service personnel by providing a unique work placement within a theatre company. By being part of this process they would not only immerse themselves into a new industry but benefit from the effects of this theatre model: increased confidence, self-awareness and ultimately allowing them to step away from their injury.”

The Legion’s Director of Health and Welfare, Sue Freeth, said of the charity’s involvement:

“The Legion is proud to be funding this very innovative and unique recovery project for members of the Armed Forces community. The project has demonstrated the huge impact a creative and collaborative process can have on building self-esteem and motivation, and has also offered an insight into a different industry, opening doors to new opportunities for those involved.

“We will continue to channel funds where needed into projects like this, to support Service personnel recovering from life changing injuries, and their families, today and for the rest of their lives.”

Tickets for ‘The Two Worlds of Charlie F.’ are available now.

Tour dates:

The New Alexander Theatre, Birmingham 19^th – 21^st July 2012.

Box Office: 0844 871 7627

The Sherman Cymru Theatre, Cardiff, 25th, 26th & 28th July 2012

Box Office 029 2064 6900

The Pleasance Grand, Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh 7th-11th August 2012.

Box Office: 0131 556 6550 

Our favourite Extreme Human Flight team Jump4Heroes have recently re-launched their website. We caught up with team member Major Alastair Macartney who told us a bit about the changes.

“People have really been taken by the work that Jump4Heroes does. As the public has started to follow us more and more and we’re getting more and more requests for TV work, as The Royal British Legion Extreme Human Flight Team, we felt we had to improve our online presence. We’ve been working hard for a while on our YouTube channel and, in the short month of February alone, we received almost 400,000 views of our videos. We’ve now turned our attention to a much more professional website.

We have lots of projects coming up but we need support to fund them. Hopefully, our new web presence will provide a more attractive base for potential sponsors. This will allow us to raise the necessary funds to undertake our projects and then exponentially share the wealth with the PR they attract for The Royal British Legion.”

You can visit the new website at www.jump4heroes.com

BFBS’s flagship TV news programme - British Forces News - is now available to watch in the UK. British Forces News is currently transmitted in 17 countries every weeknight at 18:30 CET on BFBS1 and to Royal Navy ships through Navy TV. Now, it’s also being broadcast every weeknight at 18.30 UK time on Information TV, via Sky Channel 231 and Freesat Channel 402.

British Forces News brings the latest stories that matter to British troops all around the Forces world, as well as to their families and friends and to Forces veterans.

British Forces News presenter Kate Gerbeau

Presented by Kate Gerbeau, the 30-minute news magazine brings the latest stories from Afghanistan, Germany, Cyprus, the Falklands and the many other locations worldwide where British Forces live and work. British Forces News covers issues of warfare, defence policy and military strategy, and runs in-depth reports on matters relating to welfare and family wherever British Forces and their loved ones are located around the world.

The British Forces News team operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week from its studios in Buckinghamshire, with regular live international reports from Afghanistan, where BFBS is the only broadcaster with two journalists based permanently at Camp Bastion. In addition, British Forces News has journalists based in Germany, Northern Ireland, Cyprus, and mainland Britain and is supported by news contributors in the Falkland Islands, Canada, Gibraltar, Belize and Brunei to bring the latest news and reports.

News Presenter Kate Gerbeau said: ‘Until now, British Forces News has only been available to British Forces on an encrypted satellite, but by launching on Information TV, we can reach out to a much wider audience - not just those serving and their families, but also anyone with an interest in defence news. We don’t just report on breaking national and international stories, we also provide unrivalled in-depth reports on all the issues that matter to service personnel including stories of bravery and sacrifice.’

Watch British Forces News, weeknights at 18.30 (CET) on BFBS1 around the Forces world, online at www.bfbs.com/news, and in the UK at 18.30 (UK time) on Information TV, via Sky Channel 231 and Freesat Channel 402.

You can also follow them on Twitter @ForcesNews and Facebook at www.facebook.com/BritishForcesNews

As kind of a #FollowFriday today I am recommending everyone take a few minutes to visit the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) website.

Set up to entertain and inform Britain’s Armed Forces around the world, BFBS is also a registered charity. They have radio and television stations and run Combined Service Entertainment which provides 140 live shows each year for service personnel around the globe.

Every day without fail, I visit the Forces News section where you can listen to radio programmes and watch videos online, read interesting blogs and above all; get the latest news from a trusted source that has a real affinity with the Armed Forces. 

Last year I was lucky enough to be invited to their head office where I met the team, took a tour of the radio and TV studios and gained a greater understanding of how they operate.

BFBS really do understand how important it is for those serving away from home to have access to the TV and radio programmes that they enjoy, and take pride in being able to bring a taste of home to everyone serving overseas.

Morning everyone!

I hope you all enjoyed LegionLive’s Christmas gift guide last week. Today I wanted to tell you about the ever-popular annual Christmas Carol Concert, held in the spectacular setting of Guildhall in the City of London. The concert offers a wonderful start to the Christmas season with a perfect blend of carols, choirs and celebrities, and takes place over two evenings – Tuesday 13^th and Wednesday 14^th December.

Music and carol-singing on both nights will be led by the world-renowned Bach Choir, and there will be a number of seasonal readings by guest Charles Dance, Bernard Cribbins, Carol Vorderman and Brendan Coyle. The concert will also be joined by classical group All Angels and musicians from the The Royal British Legion’s own Central Band!

Concert tickets on both evenings are £35 each, and include drinks beforehand.

Alternatively, you can extend your enjoyment of the evening and join us for a delicious three course black-tie dinner with wine in the Old Library (on Wednesday 14^th only).   Tickets for this option are £160 each and include the concert and reception.  Tables of 8, 10 or 12 are available.

Please come and help us to celebrate a magnificent occasion, particularly as the Legion’s 90^th anniversary year draws to its close!

For more information or to secure your tickets, call Rebecca Pride on 020 3207 2272 or email her on rpride@britishlegion.org.uk

Great news from our Jersey branch today, they have raised a massive £185,000 in support of The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. Despite tough economic times they have managed to raise even more money than last year, topping 2010’s total by £5,000, fantastic news!

Jan Eagre, of the Legions Jersey branch, commented on the 800 volunteers who helped raise the total which she described as “absolutely spectacular”.

She said: “I am very pleased because I felt with everybody exercising economic stringency we would be a little down this year quite understandably, but no everybody has risen to the occasion.”

It’s great to see that even during these austere times people are still going to extra mile to help out, a big thank you and congratulations to everyone who volunteered and donated.

Christmas is on the horizon and, if you’re anything like me, you’re probably already struggling to contain your excitement! One thing you may not be quite so excited about however, is the dreaded Christmas shopping. Nobody likes hitting the busy streets during the peak shopping season and I’m sure most of you will be doing a fair chunk of your gift grabbing online.

Today I’m going to give you a little run-down on some of the great gifts you can buy at our very own Poppy Shop. Give a great present and support The Royal British Legion at the same time, winner!

Poppy Day

A book for her – Poppy Day is the original story of love and war written by Mandy Prowse. Written as a tribute to her serving soldier husband, the fictitious story comes from a wife who understands the life beneath the uniform.

90 Years of Heroes

A book for him – Created by Matt Croucher GC, this hefty tome is the official tribute to the Legion’s 90th Anniversary. Divided into nine chapters, it details the full history of the Legion through exclusive access to the archives, providing a celebratory as well as informative account of all the excellent work undertaken by the Legion.

Poppy Umbrellas

For him and her – Exactly what it says on the tin, choose from two stylish poppy based designs to show your Legion spirit (even in the pouring rain!).

Jute Bags

For him and her – Jazz up the dreary weekly shop, support the Legion and help save the environment, need I say more!?

Christmas Cards

Who made your Christmas card list this year? Treat them to something a little special with a Foil Crossed Flag Christmas Card or any one of our elegant range of greetings notes and cards for that matter. We’ve got something for everyone!

That’s my top picks for today, hopefully I’ve planted a few seeds and helped eliminate some of the stress of the busy holiday period, who knows you might even find something for yourself!

This week Prince Phillip honoured the 2 Close Support Battalion REME (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) at a medal parade in Fallinbostel, Germany. The Prince was there to award 150 soldiers the medals following their deployment in Afghanistan.

This service followed the Prince’s visit last Thursday to Barnstaple, when thousands of people gathered to welcome the Chivenor troops during a homecoming parade. Even at 90 Prince Phillip remains an active champion of more than 800 charities and organisations, attending 350 engagements a year! He is the only public figure in Britain to have served in World War II, and he certainly looks as sharp as ever in full uniform!

One for the footie fans this morning. Did you catch England’s surprise win over Spain on the 12^th November? A memorable night and no mistake!  Not only were there poppies all over the stadium, but fortunately on our players training shirts and armbands as well. The FA has kindly donated a number of these poppy branded pieces of kit to The Royal British Legion and they are now available to bid for on eBay.

So if you’re a football nut or know one (Christmas is coming!) you can pop over here and grab yourself an exclusive poppy-embroidered official England training top worn by one of the players. All money raised from this auction is going to The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal so that’s a win win if you ask me!