Tenbury British Legion visit to forces sports centre

Five members of Tenbury Wells and District Royal British Legion visited the Battle Back Centre at Lilleshall.

Battle Back is located within the National Sports Centre (NSC) Lilleshall, so there are excellent sports facilities available to Armed Service personnel attending courses there.

Funding for the excellent disabled friendly accommodation was provided by the Royal British Legion with the sports facility hired as required.

During the visit they watched members of the British Archery Association taking part in a competition and it is likely that some of the competitors will shortly be heading for the Olympic Games in Rio.

The programme of ambitious, challenging and enjoyable activities is essential in helping the servicemen and women taking part to improve their physical and mental wellbeing.

"We were pleased to have had the opportunity to see Battle Back at first hand and came away with a greater understanding of the sacrifices made by our servicemen and women, what is being done to assist them and the involvement that the Royal British Legion have in facilitating this,” said Lt Col Jim Keating (retired) the Tenbury Branch Secretary.

The April meeting of the Legion was held at The Fountain Tavern and the evening was rounded off with a presentation by Squadron Leader Richard Jeavons, who was, until recently, the commanding officer of a Joint Services Intelligence Unit.

A hundred years ago, on June 6, 1916, Private Joseph Richard Edward Jones serving with the 2nd/7th Worcestershire Regiment was killed in action near Neuve Chapelle.

The family lived in Cross Street in Tenbury. Members of the family will be laying a wreath at the war memorial on the anniversary of Private Jones' death.

Tenbury and District Branch of the British Legion meet at 7.30pm on the third Wednesday of each month at the Fountain, Oldwood Road.

New members are welcome and there is no requirement to have served in the armed forces to become a member.