The Royston branch of the Royal British Legion will close next month after 86 years.
Members of the branch told the Chronicle of their sadness after dwindling membership made closure inevitable.
Secretary and treasurer Malcolm Cooper, 81, of East End Crescent, said: “It’s sad but we’ve been trying to close for over a year.
“The reason we’ve kept going is because we’ve been looking for somewhere to put the standards.”
Royston Parish Church has offered to put them on display when the branch closes. Area poppy organiser, John Mills, 63, said: “It is sad in a way, but there’s been as few as three or four members at the meetings.
“People are interested in the work the Legion does, but the younger generation aren’t as interested in joining us.”
Chairman Tom Heaton, 77, said: “It is very sad that we’re going to close. I’ve spent 40 years working for the Legion but membership is so low that we just can’t carry on.
“Younger people simply aren’t coming to the meetings. There aren’t many of us left and I’m one of the youngest.”
Tom said that members of the Royston branch still intended to help the Legion with the November annual poppy appeals and Remembrance services.
“We’ll still hopefully be holding the Remembrance service each year.
“The turn out in Royston is unbelievable.”
The Royal British Legion is the UK’s leading service charity.Barnsley Central MP Dan Jarvis, who is expected to attend a service to mark the Royston branch closure, said: “It is very sad the Royston branch is going to close.
“The Royal British Legion have done some great work, not just at times of remembrance but throughout the year supporting veterans.
“The work the Legion does is just as important today as it was 50 years ago. We have young soldiers coming back from war zones who need the help of the Royal British Legion.
“It is a great shame the Royston branch is going to close.”
The last meeting will take place at the Civic Hall on Monday, September 10, when a commemorative plaque will be unveiled.
Invited dignitaries are expected to attend the closure.
There will also be a service at Royston Parish Church on November 9 at 3pm. All legion members and servicemen on leave are welcome.
