MEMBERS of Pershore and District Royal Naval Association elected a new Chairman at their AGM.
Terry Brimmell was duly appointed by a unanimous vote at the meeting on January 14 to follow in the footsteps of Ted Annis who passed away on November 10.
Ted set up the branch with an inaugural meeting in September 2002 where he was first elected Chairman and he held this position right up until he died, being elected each year with no opposition.
Terry attended that inaugural meeting and worked alongside Ted for 12 years in the capacity of Treasurer.
Arthur Young, who has also served an equal amount of time in the branch, was elected as Vice Chairman as well as returning to his previous roles of Chief Welfare Officer and Standard Bearer.
The meeting was chaired by the President, Lt Cmdr Charles Hamlin, who was also returned to his post and saw John Pouncett elected as Hon Treasurer and Alan Ellis also appointed.
Peter Wilkinson was re-elected as Welfare Officer and Ted Lindop as Deputy Standard Bearer.
Speaking after the elections, Terry, who served nine years in the Royal Navy, said: “Following on in Ted’s footsteps is very daunting because it is a mammoth task for which I will rely on the support of my fellow shipmates.
“As a legacy to Ted, we must carry on with the sterling work that he did to the best of our ability.
“I am deeply honoured to have been chosen and will endeavour to work hard to ensure that the Branch keeps running from
strength to strength.” he added.
Ted’s daughter Trudy Burge was re-elected back to her position as Hon Secretary of the branch which she has held for many years.
“My Mum, Andy and I are thrilled that Terry has been elected as Chairman of Pershore and District RNA.
“He has been a loyal and trusted member of the branch since the beginning and a very dear friend to dad, ourselves and our family.
During the meeting, Trudy thanked members for turning out in force for her dad’s funeral and for raising £848 in his memory through donations.
The cash has been sent to the local branch of the SSAFA, a charity that provides life long support for the armed forces, veterans and their families.
In addition to this, Ted’s wife Margaret went on to raise a further £300 in December for the Vale of Evesham School with her Christmas Raffle held at the Naval Club.
Trudy is continuing to raise money for the Poppy Appeal with the sale of her book ‘Pershore Men of the Great War.’
The branch raised £600 for the Poppy Appeal in November which was due to be presented to the Royal British Legion on Monday (January 19).
