A monthly breakfast for veterans to share experiences and make connections is due to launch in Frome.
It will run on the first Saturday of every month at the Cross Keys pub in Blatchbridge, bringing Frome veterans together to meet other like-minded people.
The first breakfast will take place on 4th April, following the success of a similar event in Warminster, where organisers saw a need to start another group.
Organiser Alex Anderson, who runs the Warminster Veterans’ Breakfast, said, “The main aim of the breakfast club is the welfare of its members. The club in Frome aims to ensure that no veteran ever feels alone.”
The Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club is a national organisation, providing a supportive and welcoming environment for veterans of the armed forces.
Alex said, “The Frome Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast is run by veterans for veterans and for the benefit of veterans. This gathering allows members to get together and have a bit of squaddie banter and breakfast without having to explain themselves.
“Sharing experiences and talking the same language helps individuals deal with a multitude of issues with like-minded service personnel, in an environment where they feel comfortable, confident and safe. The support and welfare needs of veterans are also looked after outside of the breakfast club.”
A veteran who has attended the Warminster breakfast and served in the infantry for 38 years, Phil Macey, said, “I was just blown away by the scale of it. I was also blown away by the age group – it ranged from 20 through to 90.
“It also included widows and dependents and it was all-inclusive. I then started speaking to people and saw that it made a big difference to their lives. One person said it saved his life. The phrase that the Veterans Breakfast Club UK uses is ‘by veterans for veterans’ and it’s so powerful – I really was just taken aback.”
Another resident who attended a breakfast near Keynsham, Jane Norris, who is ex-Royal Navy, said, “It was a real community of veterans together with their partners. There was good food, good comradeship, and everyone knew they could come back in a month. This is a really good local pub at the best of times. It needs to be in Frome because why are we travelling so far?”
Clive Hill, who runs the Cross Keys pub, said, “I just think it’s important to support people in the local community and all they have done for us in the past. It’s an absolute honour that they came and asked us if they could hold their event with us.”
Alex added, “We are grateful to Clive and his team at the Cross Keys, Blatchbridge, for allowing the club the use of his premises. Clive has been extremely enthusiastic in supporting the breakfast club in establishing itself here in Frome.”
The club will meet at 10.30am, followed by breakfast and a brew from 11am.
Pictured: Veterans with Clive Hill (centre) outside the Cross Keys Pub in Blatchbridge
