Legion branch facing the last post

The Colerne branch of the Royal British Legion is facing closureif it cannot find enough new volunteers.

The branch, which is the oldest in Wiltshire and this yearcelebrated its 90th anniversary, has found its ageing membership canno longer give the time and energy needed to keep it running.

A meeting will be held later this month to try to find a solutionto the problem, but if not enough new faces come forward, then thegroup will have to face the very real prospect that it will have toclose. Branch president Eric Collins said: "Changes in workingpractices, health issues and the age of those who have given theirtime to date, now mean that a majority of the people who have keptthis branch going for the past few years are no longer able toguarantee involvement in any capacity or activity."

The branch has 81 members, with 41 of those pensioners, but theaverage attendance at meetings is around eight.

Its AGM will be held at the Constitutional Club, in the village,on November 23 at 8pm, where the future of the group will bediscussed.

It could either close completely or merge with another branch.