Royal British Legion Hebburn

HEBBURN BRANCH

On Saturday 2nd October 2021 at 10am, the whole of Jarrow came together to help us celebrate 100 years of the Royal British Legion. It was a fitting service which included members of the Hebburn branch, the public and a performance from the Geordie Sweetheart ‘Wor Vera’.

The British Legion was formed on 15 May 1921, bringing together four national organisations of exServicemen that had established themselves after the First World War.

100 years on, we are grateful to be standing here, supporting our ex-servicemen, women and their families even if it’s slightly delayed due to COVID.

Last year we were kindly gifted the empty Game shop unit to operate a safer socially distanced Poppy Appeal, from this great friendships were formed with the management of our shopping centre. Operations Manager of Viking Shopping Centre and a veteran from the 15th/19th The Kings Royal Hussars, shared his idea to turn the old grey artwork into a giant poppy. Needless to say, we embraced this idea and became part of the Hebburn RBL100 Community project.

Little did we know it would turn out to be such an amazing feature, one which has already created a flurry of interest on social media.

Youth members from our Hebburn Branch added designs during the summer holidays once COVID regulations permitted.

Our projects certainly carry a creative theme. Not only did we have the poppy project but we also had local crafters knitting poppies to create a centenary gown.

During last year’s poppy appeal, local crafters were recruited, this gown is on display in our branch shop and you can guess how many poppies it took to make it!

The Jarrow Poppy is a symbolic feature in the shopping centre, one which is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices our servicemen and women made for our country and the continued support RBL provides today.

This year we have a community branch base, the old Bright House, for the next few weeks (open weekends) as a drop-in centre. You can meet branch members and if anyone is interested in becoming a member, our recruitment team are around to answer any questions. For those who aren’t aware you don’t have to be a service man or women to join. Later on the Poppy Appeal will operate alongside our community base.

During the service, I read a poem written by Len Gibson MBE, who was a Japanese POW. Sadly Ken passed away early this year aged 101 but his memory lives on.

Remembering the heartache, the pain and the tears. Hoping and praying that never again, Man will sink to such sorrow and shame. The price that was paid we will always remember. Every day, every month, not just in November.

The Branch Standard was lowed as a mark of respect whilst the prayer was read.

Branch members, cadets and supporters were dismissed and followed into the branch shop for light refreshments. We would like to thank our branch members for their support, time and effort through this very turbulent year. A special thanks goes out to our business supporters without their support our RBL100 event would not have been such a huge success.

Dicksons Butchers Franks Factory Flooring Iceland Local crafters for making poppies Morrisons Those who donated books DVD’s Viking Shopping Centre Management Vicky, Hebburn Secretary.

www.bstfabrics.co.uk