THE chairman of the Bude and Stratton branch of the Royal British Legion has made a passionate plea for more volunteers to step forward, in order to safeguard the future of the branch.

The origins of the Bude branch are rooted in 1919 and 1920. It was then that Stratton and Bude formed branches independently of each other.

During that time, the far-sighted members decided that the legion must have a permanent home base, for the benefit of ex-service veterans and their dependents.

Chairman Godfrey Harrison said: “Through no fault of the legion, the original club premises were lost. After some difficulty the branch was in the position to purchase the premises in which it is now housed — 5 Burn View.”

Through a combination of events — reduction of the numbers in the Armed Forces and loss of members by virtue of their age, the branch’s membership has gradually reduced.

Mr Harrison added: “This is to a point that if we do not get an influx of new veterans, we risk closure of the branch. This is not an idle threat but an unfortunate fact.”

Each year, the branch, like many others, organises a local Poppy Appeal collection. The accounts for 2018 show that, thanks to the generosity of supporters, the branch raised approximately £16,000.

With the loss of the branch, this activity and figure raised is in jeopardy.

During the Poppy Appeal collection, between 150 and 200 collection boxes are distributed in the area, not just to Bude but to Whitstone, Kilkhampton and Widemouth among others.

Mr Harrison explained: “The hard facts are that the 12 active members of our branch are in the majority in their 70s, 80s and believe it or not, our very active president recently celebrated his 95th birthday.

“We know that there are scores of, for want of a better term, ‘younger veterans’ at large in the Bude and Stratton area, so we urgently ask you to make a commitment for the benefit of our less fortunate ex-service personnel and their dependents.

“I don’t want to see the branch go. Once it’s gone, the property will be sold and the proceeds will go to London and that’s no benefit to Conrwall. Without a building we won’t have a branch.”

Mr Harrison was keen to point out that you do not have to be an ex-serviceman to join the Royal British Legion. You just need to have a desire to look after the welfare of the Armed Forces and their dependents.

The Bude & Stratton branch meet at the headquarters on the third Tuesday of every month, starting at 7.30pm.