The Royal British Legion Nidderdale branch could close after 96 years.
The branch, which covers Pateley Bridge, Summerbridge and nearby villages, was founded in 1926.
But membership has dwindled to below 20 and the current officers, who are in their 80s, plan to step down at the end of this year.
Paul Darley, who is on the Royal British Legion’s county committee for north and east Yorkshire, said:
“No branch would mean no standard to raise at armistice parades.
“We don’t want that to happen and hope we can get enough people to keep the branch going.
“Anyone can be a member of the Royal British Legion and and annual subscription is less than £20.”
Mr Darley, who is also president of the Knaresborough branch of the Royal British Legion, said the workload wasn’t high, except for activity surrounding the annual Poppy Appeal fortnight in November.
Anyone interested in joining the branch can email Mr Darley at pauldarley@btinternet.com.
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Harrogate council asked British Legion about helter skelter location
Harrogate Borough Council has said it asked the Royal British Legion if it had any objections before placing a large helter skelter next to the war memorial.
The attraction appeared on the grass in front of the memorial on Tuesday. Harrogate BID, Visit Harrogate and the council hope it will encourage footfall during the festive season.
The Victorian-style ride has received some online criticism from residents who say it is disrespectful because of its close proximity to the memorial and its appearance just two days after Remembrance Sunday.
Others say the war dead would have wanted life to continue as normal and welcomed the idea of children playing on the rides.
A council spokeswoman told the Stray Ferret that it had chosen where to put the helter skelter “very carefully”. She added the council had received six complaints from residents about the structure.
The spokeswoman said the council asked the Royal British Legion if it had any objections beforehand, adding the charity did not but asked the council to monitor anti-social behaviour caused by the attraction.
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The spokeswoman said:
“We considered the location of the Helter Skelter very carefully and as part of our pre-event planning we consulted with the Royal British Legion on the proposed site. We received no objections but agreed with their only request that we are vigilant for anti-social behaviour in the area, which we are happy to do.
“We will monitor any anti-social behaviour caused by the attraction over the period and will act accordingly.
“The council have received half a dozen complaints in relation to its location, however we have also received a significant number of positive responses towards our Destination Christmas campaign.
“This includes many positive comments on Facebook from veterans and those whose relatives fought for the country, who are hugely supportive of what we are doing.”
Today marks the 75th anniversary of VJ Day. The Knaresborough branch of the Royal British Legion held a service this morning to rededicate the town’s commemoration bench after its refurbishment.
VJ Day marks the surrender of Japan and the end of the Second World War. The day is to remember recognise all those who served and sacrificed their lives in the Far East to bring an end to the war.
The branch has spent time renovating the bench that sits opposite the war memorial in the castle grounds. It has been inscribed with VE and VJ and the years 1945 and 2020.
Vice-Chair of the branch Dave Houlgate said:
“The Bench was installed in 1995 to mark the 50th anniversary of VE and VJ days but has become weather worn in recent years. We had planned to undertake this work and re-dedicate the Bench for VE Day back in May but we were unable to do that due to the pandemic lockdown.”
Members of the Knaresborough branch came together today to commemorate VJ Day and unveil the refurbished commemoration bench. (Credit: Sharon Van Zelst)
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The branch organised a service in the castle grounds today but was unable to make the time public to ensure social distancing.
The branch has previously warned “we don’t have to disappear” after a drop in income during the pandemic. The branch is determined to continue its efforts to support local veterans, soldiers and their families.