Riders Branch N.East
The Riders Branch in the North East.
The Royal British Legion Riders Branch is a National Branch that
was formed in 2004. The Branch is structured very much along the
lines of the RBL, being split into regions. The Northern Region is
overseen by Nick Worswick, an elected member of the Branch
Committee who is based in Preston, Lancashire. As the Branch has
grown (nearly 4,000 members at the end of 2010) County
Representatives have been brought in to ensure that Branch
activities are structured at a local level. Paul Adams, the North
East County Rep covers Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, County
Durham and Cleveland and has been a Branch member since 2005.
There are approximately 50 Riders in the North East and as you
might expect, we have members from all three branches of the armed
forces and a good number who have not served, but who support the
Legion and its aims. we can be seen throughout the year doing much
the same as other local RBL Branches, enjoying ourselves, promoting
the Legion at every opportunity, recruiting new members and
supporting the Poppy Appeal. But of course, we do it in our own
unique way and the main focus of our activities is, of course, the
motorcycling community which does appear to have a
disproportionately large percentage of veterans.
As local membership has grown, 2009/2010 have seen North East
Riders attending many events, both within the motorcycling
community and the community generally.
Sadly, the beginning of 2010 saw the North East hit hard by
casualties in Afghanistan and Branch members took time out to pay
their respects at the funerals of members of 3 Rifles, Coldstream
Guards and Royal Engineers throughout the North East.
We have been able to get out and promote the Legion at many
motorcycling events throughout the year, notably the BMF Bikefest
at Kelso, the Farmyard Rally in North Yorkshire, Stormin' the
Castle at Witton Castle and the Armed Forces Day event in South
Shields organised by the Badlanders MCC. At these events, we have
rattled the Poppy Tin, recruited new members to the Branch and
generally raised awareness of the Legion. This has provided its own
reward - two local motorcycle clubs here in the North East have
held charity events, the proceeds of which have been passed to the
Riders Branch Poppy Appeal.
North East Riders have made trips to Ypres to attend the Menin
Gate service and also to Normandy over D Day when a wreath was laid
on behalf of the Branch at Ranville Military Cemetry, appropriately
enough by an ex member of the Parachute Regiment.
Branch members assisted the local Branch collecting for the
Poppy Appeal in Durham this year and the bikes certainly helped to
attract attention. On Remembrance Sunday 2010, ten Legion Riders
paraded with local Legion members at the Sunderland Remembrance
service.
To promote Branch activities in 2011, we shall be holding our
own rally for Branch members and their guests. This will give the
opportunity to meet some of the less active members and encourage
them to get involved in Branch activities.
Although a National Branch, we are keen to forge links with the
Legion locally. In 2009, we supported the coast to coast walk by
escorting Paul McLintock and Kevin Bell over the last two miles of
their walk. This year, we supported the Tweed2Tees walk by
attending most of the Poppy Launches along the route.
We also had the opportunity, having been invited by the County
Secretary, to join the Legion stand at the Sunderland Air Show this
year and were very pleased with the reception we received. As a
Branch, the Riders are keen to support local Branches in your
activities - if you think the Riders can help with your function or
event in any way, please contact the County Rep either through the
e-mail below or via the County Secretary.
Royal British Legion Riders Branch BR3542
Northern Representative - Nick Worswick north@rblr.co.uk
North East County Rep - Paul Adams p.adams01@o2.co.uk
