About Market Harborough Branch

• Formed on 20th March, 1923, the Branch celebrated its 80th Anniversary in 2003.

• Centred on the South Leicestershire market town of Market Harborough, it serves some 20 villages in a rural area of about 45 square miles, west and north of the Northamptonshire border. The 2001 Census quotes the population of the town at 25,826 and of the villages, 5699. 

• The nearest RBL Branches are in Northamptonshire.

• There are local branches of R N A and R A F A. Some of our Members belong to these associations.

• There are no nearby military units from which to recruit younger members.

• All three local Cadet units, Army Cadet Force, Air Training Corps and St John Ambulance, are affiliated to the Branch.

• There is no associated RBL Club and no local Women’s Section Branch.

• The branch had no premises after 1991 when it sold a building acquired just after WW2. In 2004 part of the proceeds of that sale was used to acquire a portable storage unit, primarily for use for the Poppy Appeal.

• Meetings are held in hired rooms at the Market Harborough Conservative Club. The Branch General Meetings are on the Second Wednesday of each month, starting at 7.30pm and followed by some form of social event. The Branch Committee meets on the preceding Thursday.

• It is still a fairly small branch, with 141 members as at 12th September 2007. Of these 44 were women.

• The Branch has an enviable reputation both within the RBL and in the local community.

• Members become involved at County level: currently as Youth Officer, and until ill health intervened recently, Recruiting Officer and County Vice Chairman.  

• The Branch produces a monthly newsletter- appreciated particularly by those members who are unable to attend meetings.

• The Branch has two websites. Launched in May 1998, www.mktharbrorbl.ukvet.net  was created and is maintained by a member (now our Chairman) and was one of the first in the RBL. It has received awards and commendation from this country and abroad. This site, www.in-touch.ukvet.net was started in March 2002 as the on-line version of the Branch Newsletter.  

• In May 2002 the branch received the Haig Cup, and in May 2005, the Lister Cup, the Legion's highest awards for all round performance and efficiency in recognition of its work during the Legion years to 30th September 2001 and 2004 respectively. The top award at County level, The Jack Quain Trophy, has been won five times in the last eight years.  See "Trumpet Blowing"  Issue 45, June 2002

Haig Cup

 Lister Cup

Jack Quain Trophy

This page last updated on 22/09/2007

 

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