The club belonging to the Harrogate and district branch of the Royal Air Forces Association is to close after 56 years.

The local branch of the charity, which supports the RAF community, formed at a meeting in August 1945 at Harrogate YMCA.

Membership has dwindled in recent years and trustees felt they could no longer justify the expenditure required to retain the current three-storey building on Harrogate's East Parade.

A special general meeting agreed to sell the club and donate the proceeds to the national RAFA charity.

A farewell party will be held on June 25 at the club. Members and their family and friends are welcome to drop in between noon and 10pm for a cup of tea, a light buffet and some comradeship.

Harrogate air cadets will also be in attendance during the afternoon.

Philip Crebbin, chairman of the branch, said the club was simply no longer viable.

He said the branch had 100 members but few of them visited the club often, particularly as the building wasn't suitable for some older members.

But he said the branch would continue to operate and meet monthly at new premises.

---

Read more:

• Cuts to Harrogate fire crews would ‘put money before lives’, says ex-firefighter


• £41,000 given to 14 community groups in Harrogate district

---

History of the club

RAFA members in the early years met in several places in Harrogate, including the North Eastern Hotel and the Home Guard Club.

Towards the end of 1957 they moved to ‘The Rear Turret’ at the back of Albert Street, which was a rented cottage, and transformed it into headquarters.

Membership increased and eventually the thriving branch and club moved into its current premises, at 6 East Parade, in 1966.

Me Crebbin, a retired squadron leader, said: