Fears over future of Royal British Legion branch

A Royal British Legion (RBL) branch is appealing for new members, with its secretary admitting he is "fearful" for its future.

The Winterton & District branch, which was founded in 1921 alongside the national charity, said it needed to recruit younger members to take the organisation forward.

Secretary Tom Blears said the group has around 20 members but "bar one or two" everyone is over retirement age, and a third are aged over 80.

He said: "We want younger people to come in with new ideas, and hopefully take over the branch for years to come, because we won't be here forever."

Blears said the branch needs to retain a chairperson, secretary and treasurer to keep legally operating.

He said: "The positions are full at the moment but I can't carry on for much longer.

"Our chairman is leaving the area. We've just recently selected a chairman but he's reluctantly taken up the post. If any other vacancies come up for any reason, I'm fearful we won't be able to fulfill them."

Blears said previous attempts to recruit "active" new members have not been successful, as often new members join but do not attend meetings.

The branch also said it was looking for new standard bearers, with existing volunteers "feeling their age" and finding it difficult to carry out their duties.

RBL supports servicemen and women in the area, but members do not need to have served.

Members take part in civic events in the town, as well as raising money for the national poppy appeal.

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