News and dates for the diary:

Committee Meetings

Last Wednesday monthly 8pm: Branch meeting at Sunnybank Social Club, Helmshore Road, Helmshore. 

Annual General Meeting

To be held on a date to be confirmed at Sunnybank Social Club, BB4 4LQ. All members are encouraged to attend.

Remembrance Sunday 

From 2024 the Remembrance Sunday Parade will be organised by a new body, known as the Helmshore Remembrance Sunday Fundraising Committee. Unfortunately, due to Public Liability issues over Traffic Management and the event not being recognised as a civic occasion by Rossendale Borough Council, the RBL will not allow its members to organise parades. We will however, support the new Committee and continue to fund the ceremonial aspects of the event.

In 2025 Remembrance Sunday will be on the 9th November.

This year's parade will once again be led by the Haslingden and Helmshore Brass Band. 

Arrangements for the parade (to be confirmed) are as follows:

The Parade will assemble on Broadway off the road outside the shops at 9.15 am. There will be a short march along Helmshore Road to St Thomas’ Church for a service at 9.45 am.

On completion of the church service, the parade will march along Helmshore Road to the Memorial Gardens where a service of commemoration and wreath laying ceremony will be held prior to 11.am when a 2 minute silence will be observed.

We now have our own Facebook page - "Helmshore Branch Royal British Legion" as another way of keeping the local community and beyond informed of our activities. Please take a look and give us a "Like".

Armed Forces Day

Armed Forces Day in Rossendale is held at the Rawtenstall War Memorial and run by Rossendale Borough Council. The date for 2026 will be Monday 22nd June (TBC).

Armistice Day

The Branch holds a commemoration at the Helmshore War Memorial at 11am on Armistice Day 11th November every year.

This is not a formal ceremony but rather a time for quiet reflection and observation of a two minute silence. 

Annual Branch Dinner 2025

Friday 28th November at 7pm - Annual dinner for Branch members, details to be confirmed.