73107-13A LONG-STANDING branch of the Royal British Legion is on the verge of disbanding unless it can find new members.

The women's section of the Highworth branch now has only six members and they have decided that this will be their last year if they cannot find new recruits.

Eileen Maydew, 78, is the current chairman and believes she may be the oldest member.

She said: "We've had such a good time in the legion, and we don't want it to stop, so we have decided to have one more year to see if we can get new members.

"There are only six of us now, trying to keep it going.

"Some have died and some just can't make it to the meetings because of their age.

"If we can't find any more members, we'll pack up in the New Year."

None of the members is sure how long the branch has existed.

Eileen said: "I've done about 26 years myself.

"Nobody is sure but the branch must have started in the 1950s or 60s."

Her favourite memory is from 1992, when she was looking for a float to use at the Highworth festival.

"I was working at Shrivenham and somebody suggested I asked the general if we could borrow a Scorpion tank," she said.

"He said that as long as we were well insured we could have it for a day."

She remembers the group used to go on outings regularly.

"We would go to places like Ilfracombe and Swanage," she said.

"But coaches are much more expensive now and the old people can't afford them."

Another member, Hazel Hayes, 69, is very sad that the section's days appear to be numbered.

"It's sad but unfortunately that's the way it is," she said. "Things pass. We just haven't got enough members and the ones we do have are at an age where they are either housebound or they can't get to the meetings."

Treasurer Margaret Ayres said: "I would love it to carry on but we have to be realistic. We just haven't got the numbers, and there aren't any youngsters interested in taking it on. This is happening all over the country.

"We are going to do a bingo competition for the poppy appeal on December 3 as probably our last effort, unless the British Legion hierarchy can come up with any ideas about how to keep going.

"When I first joined, in about 1975, we had around 45 members.

"It will be very sad if it closes, especially at this time of year, near Remembrance Sunday which keeps us aware of the need to carry on.

"The need for money is still here, and will always be if things like Iraq keep happening."

If anybody in the Highworth area would like to join the Women's Section, they should telephone 01793 764170.

Events timetable

Swindon

October 31, 3pm: Field of Remembrance will be opened by the Mayor at the Cenotaph

November 7, 6.30pm: Festival of Remembrance at Wyvern Theatre in aid of the Poppy Appeal. Tickets now on sale at £7

November 11, 11am: Two minutes' silence at the Cenotaph

November 14, Armistice Day parade. Mustering at 10.15am at Granville Street car park.

Outside Swindon

Cricklade: November 14, parade from town hall to the war memorial at 10.15am. The laying of wreaths at 11am will be followed by a service of remembrance at St Sampson's Church.

Wootton Bassett: November 14, Royal British Legion parade at 2.30pm from Ridgeway House, to St Bartholomew's Church. The salute will be taken by the war memorial.

Highworth: November 14, parade from the Brewery Street Car Park to the church, at 9.30am for service at 10am. The Remembrance Service is at 11am at the war memorial.

David Andrew