The future of an annual Remembrance parade in a north-east town has been secured after a group of ex-service personnel stepped in.
Fears had been raised that Peterhead’s branch of Legion Scotland may have to dissolve due to dwindling membership, threatening the Remembrance Day parade and fundraising efforts.
To operate officially, Legion Scotland branches must have veterans on their committees.
But at a meeting earlier this week, enough ex-services personnel stepped up to serve on the committee and to ensure the long-term future of the event.
Last night chairman George Muir Murray, who served with the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders in Northern Ireland, said: “The parade’s a big part of the town’s history and it would have been sad for it to close.
“We need help from our members, and this has shown they do want to keep the branch open. They’re mucking in.
“Before the social club closed, we had well over 300 members. Now around 52 have remained loyal to the legion. The committee itself – I was the only ex-serviceman on with the secretary. But now we’ve got another couple of ex-service folk.”
The Peterhead branch of Legion Scotland – the sister organisation of the Royal British Legion – has had to operate without a social club since 2011 when its former hall in Broad Street was sold to cover debts.
But members of the committee have continued to provide support to local veterans, organise the parade, and volunteer with Poppy Scotland to sell charity poppies.
Mr Murray, 57, added: “We’re here to help ex-service personnel. That’s what we’re for – helping them with any difficulties they have. We can put them in touch with the right people.
“Perhaps they’re struggling with their bills and we can help. We’re a registered charity.”
In 2015, local legion members raised more than £9,900 for Poppy Scotland’s annual appeal in the town – an increase on the previous year.