ROYAL British Legion members have performed a sad task after one of their branches folded.
In line with tradition, the standard belonging to the legion’s Barnehurst and Belvedere branch was “laid up” at a ceremony in the parish church.
The Barnehurst and Belvedere chairman, 82-year-old Leonard Nicholson, took the decision to close the branch after a series of setbacks.
The branch’s secretary and treasurer both died last Christmas and this was followed by the loss of its headquarters, which were destroyed in a fire.
Members had been meeting temporarily in the Pop-in Parlour in Queen Street, Erith, but with no-one stepping in to take on the running of the branch and with fewer younger people joining, it was decided to close it.
The ceremony was held at St Martin’s Church, Erith Road, Barnehurst, during a church parade involving uniformed youth groups and members of other legion branches who paraded their standards.
The Barnehurst and Belvedere flag will remain on display in the church unless the branch is revived in the future.
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