The Wickham Market branch of the Royal British Legion was founded in 1926 – a hundred years ago – to support the welfare of service personnel, ex-service personnel, and their families following the First World War.

To celebrate their centenary, they are holding two days of celebrations over the weekend of the 11^th and 12^th April. 

On Saturday, there will be a display of military vehicles, stalls, and food available from The Ration Box on the field by the village hall. There will be plenty of activities for youngsters in the ‘kids’ quarter’ with bouncy castles, more stalls, and an ice cream van.

There will be an opportunity to sit back and enjoy live music performed from a truck stage supplied by Rackham’s, featuring plenty of songs from the 1940s. Combat2Coffee, dedicated to enhancing the mental health and well-being of Veterans and their families, will be serving its own freshly roasted coffee. 

At the British Legion building on Dallinghoo Road, there will be a raffle, retro games, and a photo booth, with plenty of opportunities for visitors to dress up in wartime regalia. The fun will continue into the evening with a bar and live music.

On Sunday, 12th April, there will be a change of pace with a car boot sale on the field by the village hall and a display of military vehicles.

The British Legion will take part in the church service at All Saints’ Church, which will be followed by a parade and marching brass band that will pass the war memorial, make a circuit, and arrive on The Hill, where a pennant will be added to the Standard.

Later in the day, there will be an Abba tribute band and other events at the British Legion building.

For more details, watch out for posters around the village and follow the Wickham Market British Legion Facebook page.