MEMBERS old and new were joined by widows and the ladies' section to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Aston Fields branch of the Royal British Legion.
The celebration was held at Aston Fields Social Club in Stoke Road.
After welcoming the guests, which included the national chairman John Hawthornthwaite and his wife, the county chairman Ken Draper and branch Padre, the Rev Tricia Allsop - vicar of St Godwald's - and her husband, the chairman John Fraser gave a brief account of the branch's history.
He said it was formed in October 1955 after soundings regarding establishing a club had been made by the first chairman, the late Fred Barker, and the present secretary John Allcock.
In 1959 the branch won the coveted National Haig cup for progress and efficiency followed by three consecutive years winning the Counties Pritchard Cup for similar achievements.
Club president for over 40 years, retired Bromsgrove GP Dr Max White, recalled an occasion following their Haig Cup success which ranks as one of the branch's proudest moments.
It was a VIP visit by the Legion's then national president Sir Roy Boucher, one time General Officer Commanding Far Eastern Land Forces, and his wife.
They made a celebratory visit to Aston Fields and were entertained by Dr White and his wife Mary at their Bromsgrove home prior to attending the branch's dinner and dance at the Foxlydiate Hotel.
Local group Fairfield entertained the guests at the anniversary.
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