Remembrance for the village happens in the month of November, when local families look to the past when their sons, uncles, fathers and grandfathers went to war and did not return.

As a result of a partnership between the Elstead Branch and the Parish Council the village war memorial has been updated with two names not up till then recorded with pride in a prominent public place. Remembrance for those families continues, as it does right up to the present day.

As the Standard bearer it has been a quite year. The Branch standard having attended only six events. However in addition, the standard was taken to two very special events. On the 27^th October it attended the funeral  of Lance Corporal James Michael Hill at Redhill. Full military honours were given to this recently killed soldier, the church was packed and a congregation outside fed by loudspeaker. The public blocked the pavement, and after the service the coffin left for the cemetery. A very moving event. On November 10^th it went to Wooton Bassett to join in the repatriation for six servicemen, mostly murdered from the war. The town was strangely quiet when the cortege went through, the silence only broken by a mourning bell and a barking dog. Standards dipped and flowers were thrown. Another very moving and upsetting event to be a part of.

Official remembrance began when the Cenotaph in Whitehall designed only as a temporary structure was built in stone as a National Memorial. Local memorial of all kinds were erected in 20's and 30's and, like us in Elstead, names were added and due respect given.

This is what we do in Elstead. One of the things Great Britain does best is to remember those who gave so much that we can live as we do now.

The Poppy Appeal results are:

House to House  £1158.08
Shop Boxes (Static)  £1388.46
Godalming Sainsbury's  £1153.82
Farnhan Sainsbury's  £ 390.07
Wreaths  £ 322.00
Donations  £ 380.69

Total (2009)  £5155.05

A big "Thank you" to Elstead for being so generous. Remembrance for those in the past, respect for those lost in the present, and support for those in the future. Thanks to Poppy Appeal.

December 10^th saw the Members enjoy a Christmas Party at the U.R.C. Church. Carols, accompanied by music, were sung, followed by a very nice buffet tea, together with a glass of wine, for those who like it, supplied and served by Sandra and some members of the Committee.

The Christmas Raffle and the normal monthly raffle were then drawn, raising the sums of £77 and £19.50 respectively.

There is no Meeting in January and on February 10^th Geoff Lunn will give a talk entitled 'Surrey Safari', so we hope that all Members w ill come along, as Geoff is very entertaining.