THE women’s section of the Wellington Royal British Legion branch may be forced to fold due to dwindling membership.

With remembrance events in the town just over a week away, the number of people in the branch has fallen to its lowest since starting in 1943.

There aren’t enough members to sell poppies and collect donation money in memory of fallen war heroes.

Now they have issued a rallying cry for new recruits.
Chairman Madge Covey, 89, said: “It might have to fold. Young people these days seem like they don’t want to know.

“We’re all veterans. I’m almost 90 and can’t carry on forever.

“We need the help. I feel like I’ve served my time.”

Mrs Covey served with the RAF during World War Two and has been branch chairman for 16 years.

The section’s annual meeting is on November 12 and she said more will become clear afterwards whether they can carry on.

She said: “The meeting will let us know whether we can carry on or not. It’s a struggle.

“Attendance at meetings is low now and we’ve lost members for obvious reasons, but we can’t carry on alone and I’ve had no response from my appeal so far.

“We need younger people to help us out, but I don’t know if it’s going to work.”

For more information about joining the women’s section, call Mrs Covey on 01823-666007.