FROME Royal British Legion will mark the organisation’s centenary on 15th May with a small, non-public wreath-laying ceremony.
Branch chairman Nigel Moore told Frome Times, “In common with RBL branches across the UK we plan to mark the centenary of the founding of the RBL. We will do this in a small, low key, Covid-19 restriction compliant ceremony by laying a wreath at the Memorial Theatre at 9am on Saturday 15th May.
Nigel stressed no public attendance was permitted at the wreath laying and for RBL members the rule of six meeting in outside spaces and the 2m social distancing applies.
“As the Covid restrictions are lifted and life begins to return to something like normal we look forward to restarting our branch meetings and to once again meet up in person with all our members, new and old,” he added.
“The past 12 months have been a real challenge for all organisations supporting those in need, not least the RBL.
“In Frome we have not been able to have our usual branch meetings but we have kept in touch with our members via e-mail, letter and through our branch community support officer Jane Norris, who has done a sterling job.”
The restarting of future branch meetings depended on the lifting of the Covid restrictions, Nigel said. “At this stage to be on the safe side we are looking at mid to late September.”
Residents can add an online message to the Royal British Legion’s 100 Years of Support display marking the centenary.
An RBL spokesperson told Frome Times, “The Royal British Legion was formed in the aftermath of the First World War when four organisations came together to fight the injustices faced by those returning home after service – and became the British Legion in 1921.
“From the beginning we campaigned for fair treatment of those who had given so much for their country during the war and provided much needed welfare support and comradeship to millions. 100 years on we continue to respond to the changing needs of the Armed Forces community, providing small interventions to life-changing, and sometimes lifesaving, support.
“Join in the celebrations with the rest of the RBL community by adding a message of support which will be printed on a commemorative poppy and added to our 100 years of Support display. You can do this by visiting www.britishlegion.org.uk/about-us/our-centenary”
