Join the Legion

The club is looking for new people - and you don't have to be ex-services to join.

The Comrades Club boasts a newly refurbished lounge which is ready to be appreciated and enjoyed, and there is plenty of room for entertainment and relaxation.

President Brian Welford said: "The fact is you don't have to be an ex-member or member of the armed forces. The membership is open to anyone.

"We want people to know about us. The Royal British Legion has a little bit of stigma to it...people think you have to be old and ex-service but that is not the case.

"Any club needs younger members to keep it going.

"We have had the refurbishment done so that gives us a chance to clear up any misconceptions at the same time. This club has really got a lot going for it - and the new lounge is just part of that."

The refurb cost the club in the region of 20,000 and was carried out using local businesses rather than giving the work to specialist companies based outside the area.

"We kept it local", said Brian.

"We decided on the decor and design ourselves and got local people involved with it.

"On the whole reaction has been very good - most people are quite impressed with it, I think."

The club has a busy schedule of entertainments and events, including bingo, music nights, jazz sessions, quizzes and raffles, much of which takes place in the large and airy extension next to the lounge.

There is a stunning games room which members are rightly proud of and which features three full size snooker tables, one of which was donated by Lord Inman of Knaresborough and is made of oak inlaid with ebony with a matching scoreboard. The building itself was given by Colonel O'Donnell to be used by returning servicemen in the 1920's, and was then used by the Royal British Legion from the mid-1930's.

Brian has been a member for 40 years, since he was 20, but says there are members still who joined in the 1930-40's.

Barry Vitler is the current chairman and has been a member for 16 years. He said: "I was invited in as a guest and I just like the look of the place. It had a good feel about it - and that made me join. I wanted to become a member.

"I think the club atmosphere is always preferable to going to a pub - and the prices are better as well."

For details call 01424 219102.