A LONG-running branch of the Royal British Legion is under threat of closure due to a lack of active members — and a last attempt special meeting is being held in a bid to protect its future.

The Bere Alston branch of the Legion, set up more than 75 years ago, is in desperate need of new members to keep it open.

Chairman Peter York said although the branch still had around 50 members, most were well over retirement age and were not always able to attend meetings or vote, let alone take an active part in the group.

'We are not getting enough younger people to take over,' said Mr York, who has been a member since 1995.

'Lots of smaller clubs across the country are packing in because they are not sustainable. Even lots of the leading clubs have gone.'

Although nationwide the Legion has more than 400,000 members, with 2,500 branches and clubs, new and younger members are not joining in sufficient numbers to help replace the older members.

The Bere Alston branch was at one time the largest and most affluent in Devon, including a very active women's branch.

A 'last-ditch' special general meeting, to be held on Monday, September 9, has been agreed with the Legion's County Headquarters chairman and secretary from Exeter, both of whom will be in attendance.

In the meantime, county secretary John Prior will be mailing an invitation to all local members urging them to attend, or at least submit their advance nominations for the vacant positions in the committee.

Mr York said: 'Hopefully, people of all ages will come to the meeting. We will be voting for a new committee and encouraging people to put their names forward, so we can hopefully gain some new members.'

Mr York said the branch needs as many 'sleeping members' — people who are members but do not take an active part in the group — to attend the meeting to vote.

He said if the branch folds, community events like the Remembrance Day Parade would disappear, which involved many people in the parish.

'If the branch closes, our local fundraising activities will become less co-ordinated, and less focus means our fundraisers will become less motivated.

'Meanwhile more and more funds are needed to help support men and women leaving the service, such as provision of temporary emergency funds, advice on war pensions, compensation claims, benefits and money matters, even for valid business start-ups and, of course, RBL rest homes for the old and disabled,' said Mr York.

Up until last year the Legion was still supporting veterans from world war one, but it will be helping veterans of world war two for many years to come — as well as many from the 48 conflicts, in which British service personnel have been involved, between then and now.

Men and women of all ages, whether they have served in the Armed Forces or not, are invited to the special meeting at 8pm at Bere Ferrers Social Club.

As well as general members, the club is looking for people to take over roles such as secretary and treasurer. No experience is needed as the branch will send people on courses and pay for expenses.

The annual membership fee for the branch is £16, and the branch meets every other month from September to May.

Anyone who would like to join the branch or would like more information can contact Peter York on 01822 840644, Stan Sherrell on 01822 840241, or Ron Toll on 01822 840828.