Much Wenlock RBL branch could fold after 86 years
The future of another Shropshire branch of the Royal British Legion is in doubt. A crunch meeting has been organised by the Much Wenlock branch of the charity as it faces closure.
The branch, which has been running for 86 years, could fold unless two new officers are found at the meeting on January 23.
Branch secretary Don Barlow said he is desperately hoping people will come together to save the branch.
Mr Barlow said: "Our treasurer Leda Goodfellow left her post as she moved out of the area, which leaves us with only two branch officers, myself and chairman Dick Wignall.
"Dick's poor health prevented him from attending the branch annual meeting on November 21, resulting in only me being present and the normal consequences of this would be closure of the branch.
"However, we are convinced that such a course would adversely affect the Poppy Appeal, as well as the Remembrance services and ceremonies in the district.
"The neighbouring Leighton & District Branch, which encompassed several parishes situated within the Wenlock Church Team Ministry area, has already met this fate.
"We are therefore making one more effort to save the branch."
The situation facing the Much Wenlock branch is similar to the problem faced by the Broseley RBL, which has run since 1946 and has a similar issue with a lack of committee members.
Difficulty in recruiting new members is a situation affecting a lot of different organisations, many of whom have been running for decades.
One such organisation is The Bridgnorth Round Table. The group, which had a 58-year history, was forced to close just before Christmas due to a lack of new members coming into the group.
Mr Barlow said that the special meeting of the RBL branch will hopefully enable them to find the branch officers required to enable them to carry on.
He said: "If, by the end of that meeting, we can find two more officers, especially a treasurer, we believe we shall be able to continue and work to rebuild the branch.
"But the meeting is about more than finding committee members and we would urge anyone who is interested in joining the RBL or just in showing their support for the branch to come to the meeting." The meeting will start at 11am and will be held at the community room, Pinewood Close in Much Wenlock.
For further information contact Don on (01952) 872298 or via email at bookbar@hotmail.co.uk
