The Royal British Legion Scotland By Kathleen Potter

This Branch was formed in 1947 primarily to help ex-servicemen and their families. Today, although the aim is the same, the Branch endeavours to help everyone within the Liddesdale area. Various functions take place during the year; in June each year a special Legion Week takes place. This encompasses all age groups with various sports competitions for adults and children. There is a fancy dress parade and children’s party and, of course, the Remembrance Day Parade and Service in November.

In December bags of coal are gifted to all pensioner members and on Christmas Day several Father Christmas’s leave the Legion Club to deliver a gift to every pensioner in Liddesdale, thus ensuring that no-one is completely alone on Christmas Day.

The Club was originally built as a hall by the Newcastleton Branch of the Independent United order of Scottish Mechanics. This was a very important Order which was formed to support the sick, the poor and the dying.