90 Years of the Royal British Legion

	Celebration Cake donated by The East Nursery
Counsellor Dave Shaw laying wreath	Prudhoe Community Band
Rev Charles Hope in dedication	Mr and Mrs Davis of the Prudhoe Branch of the Royal British Legion
School Stalls	Children dancing to the Prudhoe Community Band
The Prudhoe Community Band	Crafty fun!
An honourable salute

Young and Old join forces to celebrate

90 Years of the Royal British Legion

On Saturday 11^th June 2011 the Prudhoe Branch of the Royal British Legion and Prudhoe Town Council joined forces to hold a 90^th Anniversary celebration and fundraiser in The Glade, Front Street.  Despite the weather the event was a great success and as well as being enjoyed by all who attended raised over £400 for this very worthwhile cause.

The event included the dedication of the Royal British Legion’s Memorial Plaque by Reverend Charles Hope, a serving TA Soldier and veteran of the 2^nd Gulf War.  The Plaque which was removed and carefully stored during street scene improvements now stands proudly on a newly built plinth in The Glade.  The plinth was erected by Norman Darling, the same builder who undertook the seat/planter at the Western Gateway and was built using recycled stone donated by Mr James and Cllr Mrs Mavis Harris. 

The entertainment was courtesy of the Prudhoe Community Band who played music the youngsters would recognise as well as war time classics that prompted Mr and Mrs Davis of the Prudhoe Branch of the Royal British Legion into a waltz.  Highfield Middle School brought along science themed crafts for the youngsters as well as displaying their fabulous poetry and short stories about the 2^nd World War.  Mickley Community Nursery offered children to opportunity to make poppies to take away and Mickley First School brought along an anniversary banner designed and decorated by the school children.  The East Centre Nursery offered crafts and goodies as well as donating an anniversary cake made by David Greenwood.  The young people enjoyed the crafts and the band but especially the toy tombola hosted by the Women’s Section of the Royal British Legion and the refreshments offered by Prudhoe Youth Service. 

The raffle that was hosted by the Town Council awarded 40 prizes all donated by local businesses and individuals (all named below) and was drawn just before the heavens opened.  All contributors helped make this event a memorable one and the message was clear – the people of Prudhoe support the Royal British Legion.  The Town Mayor, Councillor Mrs Jennifer McGee and Councillor Mrs Eileen Burt handed around complimentary cake by way of thanks to those who came.  

The 90 for 90 celebrations have not finished yet and this year’s Poppy Appeal will also form part of the 90 for 90 fund raising effort where the Legion hopes to raise a phenomenal £90 million over the year.  For more details please visit www.britishlegion.org. 

The Prudhoe Branch of the Royal British Legion will hold the Remembrance Day Parade on Sunday 13^th November 2011 beginning at The United Services Club at 10:30am to proceed through the Town to St. Mary Magdalene Church for a remembrance service beginning at 11:15am.  Following the service the parade will re-form outside the church before returning back along the Front Street.  Everyone is invited to join in the parade and it is hoped that members of the community will come out in force to honour those who have given their lives and those who continue to do so in the service of their country and to offer some continuing strength and comfort to the bereaved families.