Astwood Bank branch of the Royal British Legion celebrated the 70th anniversary of its foundation with an excellent dinner at the Bulls Head Hotel in Inkberrow last Friday evening.

In the chair was the branch president Major David Bish TD, who welcomed guests.

Major Bish gave the exhortation before inviting the branch padre, The Rev Ivor Merry, to say grace.

Before grace, Mr Merry prayed for the troops serving in Iraq and also for their families and friends at home.

The principal guest was Mr Neil Bayliss, of Astwood Bank club, where the branch meets on the second Tuesday of each month.

Mr CT Wareing, branch chairman, gave the vote of thanks when members asked Major Bish to convey to the officers and other ranks of 202 (Midlands) Field Hospital RAMC (V), the Birmingham based Territorial Army now serving in Kuwait with whom the branch has a number of associations.

Mrs Linda Bish, branch secretary, was thanked for her hard work in bringing about this pleasant event.