Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, attended the raising of the Royal British Legion Flag, over the weekend, at the organisation’s Great Wyrley branch.
The flag-raising - funded through membership donations - took place on July 20th outside of the headquarters at Harrisons Sports and Social Club, on Wharwell Lane.
In addition to Gavin and the Great Wyrley branch members, the event was attended by Deputy Lord Lt. Col Christopher Comport, High Sheriff of Staffordshire Miss Susie Lillingston, Mayor of Tamworth Mr John Garner, Great Wyrley District Council Chairman Mrs Rita Heseltine and Chairman of Great Wyrley Parish Council Mrs Kath Perry.
Further attendees included members of other regional branches and associated organisations, as well as Cadet Forces and Scout Groups affiliated to the Great Wyrley branch.
Gavin said: “It was a wonderful occasion. The flag was the culmination of a long held dream for many members of the Great Wyrley branch of the Royal British Legion. It was incredibly moving to see the flag finally raised outside the local headquarters.
“The Great Wyrley branch really punches above its size in terms of the amount of work that it does within the local community. The group has raised an incredible amount over the past eight years and I cannot praise its members enough for their continued efforts to assist the 9 million people in the UK – made up of ex service people and their dependents - who are eligible for support from the organisation. It is in no small part down to members’ hard work, along with their ongoing sacrifices of both time and money, that the Royal British Legion in Staffordshire is the leading ex-Service organisation in the county.”
The Great Wyrley Royal British Legion branch was reformed in 2004 and, since then, has gone from strength to strength under the Chairmanship of Mr John Talbot.
The branch now has 75 members together with Cadet Forces from TS Vanguard, TS Newfoundland, 196 Sqd. ATC and 1st. Great Wyrley Scout Group, who are all affiliated to the branch.
Each year, Mrs Brenda Talbot organises a Poppy Appeal. Mrs. Talbot, together with an army of poppy collectors and a year round entertainments committee, raises thousands of pounds annually for the cause. The Poppy Appeal 2012/13 has brought in £27,650 towards an overall total, over the past eight years, of £171,400.