Verwood New Legion Club fights closure

Despite the bombshell announcement in June that the Verwood Legion was to be closed in late September, hard work behind the scenes is beginning to produce positive signs of a continued future.

A ‘Save The Legion’ campaign was set up by member Alan Dorey and after a series of member meetings, mail-shots and appeals across Verwood, a new management committee was formed.

Set up under the chairmanship of Brian Giddings, a detailed business case is being made to the Royal British Legion trustees in London. “It’s a fantastic community facility,” says Brian; ”smart, beautifully refurbished and growing in popularity. We’re keen to lease the site from the RBL and have already secured a stay of closure to the end of the year. We’ve organised a string of exciting events, and we’re confident that our strategy will make ‘The Legion’ the place to be in 2010 and beyond.” 

The ‘Save The Legion’ campaign is now stepping up a gear. It seeks to:

• Raise awareness of the closure threat across the region
• Encourage as many people as possible to make use of the facilities
• Explore ways of keeping the premises open as a community venue

With a regular newsletter and a calendar of events coming together, the new committee and the Legion staff are working hard to build an irresistible case for keeping it open.

The next events include:

• 26 September – Totally Tropical night with Freezer Geezer – and Food!
• 9 October – Beetle Drive – With Raffle and Prizes
• 10 October – Plain Jane – Live Band
• 11 October – Tea Dance
• 17 October – Forest FM Live with Charlie Hole