Penrith’s century-old branch of the Royal British Legion has a rich history and is “one of the wealthiest in the north of England” — but its future is hanging in the balance.
For a number of years, attempts to form a viable branch have come to nought and it is having to be propped up by the county committee, says Penrith branch chairman Chris Hallam.
He said the coronavirus pandemic and other factors had led to a “breakdown between the members and committee”.
“Numbers attending the monthly meetings are insufficient to determine policy and direction required by both county and national committees,” said Mr Hallam.
The closure of the branch would mean that the Standard would be laid up, funds in the bank would be transferred into a central account, and members would be affiliated to other branches such as Kendal or Carlisle.
However, Mr Hallam said this would not affect the Poppy Appeal in November as that is run from county level.
“There is a need for the membership to support the branch and committee in order comply with the Royal British Legion Charter, and if this is achieved the Penrith branch can be represented at both county and national events, plus the charitable benefits and support can be provided to the military community in the area,” said Mr Hallam.
A general meeting will be held at the Evergreen Hall, Bluebell Lane, Penrith, at 7pm on Tuesday, 28th February, and members are being asked to attend in order to map out the future of the branch and to rejuvenate the legacy of the Royal British Legion in Penrith.
Mr Hallam said: “We are one of the wealthiest branches in the North of England and that is purely and simply because of the nature of Penrith.”
He said it would be a shame to lose all that funding back to London and not be able to use it because of a “lack of activity”.
“If, 10 years down the line, someone wants to restart it, I’m afraid that all the funds that we hold at the moment, will not be there for the future branch if we close. The funds will be absorbed into the main central accounts.
“We have the potential to be able to assist and support those who are in need and have got professional welfare and other things that are available to us.”
Mr Hallam, who is ex-Army, added: “The Royal British Legion is primarily a charity. It was set up as a benevolent fund for military families and veterans. It provides everything from welfare and consultations through to charitable grants and also funding programmes that assist veterans.
“The Penrith branch, set up in 1922, is one of the many branches which have been around for 100 years.
“But if we do not re-connect with the membership and get the branch active it will literally fold,” said Mr Hallam.
“We would like a full committee, full meetings, an active participation through membership, and also the ability for us to provide something back to the membership, which is something which hasn’t happened for a while.
As well as attending pass out parades at Catterick, which is something which has happened in the past, they could also organise evenings to bring people together and create the social hub which, Mr Hallam says, should be part and parcel of membership.
Anybody can be a member of the British Legion and the aim is to draw membership from everywhere. The branch has about 150 members at present.
“It would be nice to have a youth section and it would be nice to get some of the younger people involved with it,” said Mr Hallam
He added: “As a committee we need to get in touch with our membership, we need to get them involved with what is going on. At the parade last November, there were a lot of people who were quite alarmed at the fact that there is the potential for the branch to close, but it is trying to get them to go that one step further and come forward — the reason behind the meeting at the Evergreen Club,” said Mr Hallam.
The meeting will be an open forum for the membership and will provide a chance to outline what exactly is needed to make the branch viable.
