New RBL office opens in Barrowford

The new base is in “The Annex” at the parish council’s Holmefield House on Gisburn Road.

The parish council provided the location for the branch headquarters and Asda came up with £20,000 to carry out impressive refurbishment work on the building.

It was officially opened by the chairman of the parish council, Coun. James Begley.

Also there were the Mayor and Mayoress of Pendle, Coun. Graham Roach and Joanna Sagar; Lancashire County’s Royal British Legion chairman Mike Turner and secretary Joanna McNamara; some Sea Cadets; the parish council’s clerk Iain Lord; the Colne Asda store manager Michaela Doherty and her colleague, community life officer Diane Springthorpe; plus the branch’s officers and team, including chairman George Adam, secretary Janice Taylor and welfare officer Michael Sutcliff.

At the opening, Diane Springthorpe – who has been involved in organising the big donation – welcomed the guests and said: “It’s a great opportunity for myself to stand here today. The building has been transformed into a beneficial, usable office space.” Then parish council chairman Coun. Begley said: “The work was started – believe it of not! – at the end of February.” And he praised everyone involved in it.

Branch chairman Mr Adam said: “I’m not used to speaking in public!” But despite that he came up with a lot of information. He said: “It must be 12, 13 or even 11 years ago since we lost our headquarters in Brunswick Street, Nelson!”

The Royal British Legion club there closed and is now a mosque. And he added: “Thanks to Asda and Diane for getting funding for the building. I would like to thank everyone who has been involved.”