The Royal British Legion

The Royal British Legion
RBL clubs in this country are mostly intended for service (armed forces) and ex-service people but associate membership is also allowed for non-service members. It can be difficult to join (unless service or ex-service) with a long waiting list. Penistone British Legion used to be in the old cloth hall building beside Clark's Chemists, with entry from a door the ginnel but moved to the current purpose-built building in (I think) the mid nineteen-sixties. It is a warm, comfortable and friendly place with a variety of company, entertainment and drinks.

The Legion is mostly a haven for older people who prefer a sedate atmosphere with good beers at the right price. I say 'sedate' here but entertainment in the lounge can be as loud as any disco. Mind you, that makes sense really - the young 'uns like it loud and the old ones are more deaf. The old gag is that the British Legion is 'a glimpse into the future'. The flag pole outside always has a Union flag proudly blowing in the breeze and it is always lowered to half mast in respect of the death of old soldiers.

The club was refurbished in 2001 and again a few years later. The lounge room is comfortably furnished and often has some sort of entertainment. There are Sunday quiz nights for a few weeks each year, with a general knowledge and music quiz (using the unpredictable PA system) and there is normally a good turnout with prizes of wine and beer. The games room has two proper snooker tables and a large-screen satellite TV for popular sports programmes.

RBL Organisation
The Royal British Legion is a UK charity founded in 1921, providing support to the serving and ex-Service community and their families. It was a merger of four organisations: the "Comrades of the Great War", the "National Association of Discharged Sailors and Soldiers", the "National Federation of Discharged and Demobilized Sailors and Soldiers" and the "Officers' Association". It was granted the "Royal" prefix on 29 May 1971, to mark their fiftieth anniversary.

The organisation raises money for convalescent homes and other support for servicemen but they especially raise funds with a 'poppy appeal' every year. It is very common in the UK for people to wear a paper poppy on their lapel around October/November each year, in support of the BL fund-raising. There is a British tradition to give two minutes silent contemplation in remembrance of those who died in the defence of our country. This happens throughout the country, even in shopping malls and on the more serious radio stations. It is at 11am on the eleventh day of the eleventh month, which was the moment of signing the armistice at the end of the first World War. RBL clubs organise annual remembrance ceremonies which occur throughout the country in towns, cities and many villages. These ceremonies are at 11am on the Sunday nearest to 11th November.

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning. We will remember them."
This is read out at every ceremony and all the people join in and repeat at the end - "We will remember them"

Thurlstone also used to have a British Legion in the old pub building (the former Blue Ball) near the z-bend of the main road but it is long gone and the building is now a dwelling. Link: www.britishlegion.org.uk

2008 Changes
Maureen and Robert Taylor have looked after Penistone's RBL for a good many years but have now decided to give it a rest and return to normal life. In 2008, the running of the bar was handed over to Steve and Helen Nursey, who were the former landlord and landlady of the Old Crown. Steve and Helen are well-known and well-regarded local people (and Legion regulars) who are maintaining the RBL tradition of doing a good job. Maureen Taylor is still around in Penistone, with a new job in the Co-op.

Harvest Festivals
One annual event in the club is the charity harvest festival, in the posh room. This takes place soon after Penistone Show. Prize exhibits of fruit, vegetables and flowers from the Show are auctioned off, along with shirts, hats, gadgets, etc. Local businesses also sometimes donate mystery prizes. 2007's auction raised more than £500 for Barnsley Hospice and the MacMillan cancer charity. Here are some pictures from the 2007 event, the first view was from before the event: