About Branch

About Market Harborough Branch

• Formed on 20th March, 1923, the Branch celebrates its 85th Anniversary in 2008.
Click to read what was said in the local newspaper about the formation.

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 at 7pm on the preceding Thursday.

• It is still a fairly small branch, with 147 members as at 12th December 2007. Of these 47 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, 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 produces an Annual Report of its activities. Copies are held at RBL County Office, Market Harborough Library and Leicestershire Records Office.

• The Branch has had two websites. The one launched in May 1998 was created by a member (now our Chairman) and was one of the first in the RBL. It received awards and commendation from this country and abroad. However, it is now regarded as unnecessary and has been allowed to lapse.

This site, www.in-touch.ukvet.net was started in March 2002 as the on-line version of the Branch Newsletter and its archive. Some of the content of the lapsed site will eventually appear in this site.

• 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 25/04/2008

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