Burnham-On-Sea’s branch of the Royal British Legion moved another step closer to formally re-opening its town centre headquarters this week – two months after it was disbanded.
Burnham-On-Sea.com reported in September that the long-running organisation was to be disbanded due to a lack of volunteers despite a long 75 year-history in Burnham. Since then, dozens of residents have come forward to offer their help in getting it restarted.
A meeting was held in Burnham on Monday (November 24th) when the matter was disccussed with Somerset’s Royal British Legion Chairman, Roger Dudderidge.
“The new membership and acting committee of the Burnham-On-Sea Royal British Legion had a long, involved and very positive meeting with the Somerset County RBL Chair and Recruitment Secretary on Monday morning, at which the future of the branch and the retention of the headquarters in Victoria Street were discussed at length,” Burnham Poppy Appeal’s Gaynor Brown told Burnham-On-Sea.com.
“It was made clear that the membership wish to retain the building and are willing to do whatever is necessary to keep it as thier headquarters and also as a resource for the town.”
“The county officers were presented with a business plan to show how the Acting Committee intend to raise funding to repair and refurbish the building as well as obtaining a grant to secure the branch’s future with an ambitious programme of social events.”
Roger Dudderidge, the County Chair, and Robert McDonald both pledged to fight for the branch to keep the building and offered any help they could give the new committee.
Gaynor added: “We are now waiting for the result of a meeting between the County Chair and the Properties Director and the County Committee Meeting on Thursday.”
Speaking after the meeting, Burnham branch President Cllr Neville Jones said: “It was a very positive meeting and I’m encouraged by the willingness of the county branch to make it work for our local community here in Burnham.”
Anyone wanting to join or offer support towards the renovation or future plans can contact the Acting Membership Secretary Tony Bird on 07712 489317.
