A local developer has offered to help build much-needed new premises for the Spalding branch of the Royal British Legion.
The generous gesture by Broadgate Homes – made at the very moment the 70th anniversary of D-Day was being marked at Ayscoughfee Gardens – came after The Spalding and South Holland Voice contacted the Weston Hills firm to highlight the branch’s plight.
Its current two-storey base in Spring Gardens is no longer suitable for members. The upstairs is inaccessible to some and the amount of car parking has been severely reduced.
Broadgate Homes chief executive Ian Canham immediately told the Voice he would do what he could for an organisation which helps the whole Armed Forces community.
He said: “It’s something that we can do as a company.
“We’re hoping to put a solution together to help them with their position.”
Spalding is one of the few RBL branches to own its premises.
One idea Broadgate Homes has in mind is to buy the branch’s Spring Gardens base and provide a temporary home in Westlode Street while a new base is built.
Spalding RBL discussed Broadgate’s offer to get involved at its meeting on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the search for a suitable town centre location is under way – and it’s hoped that South Holland District Council might be able to help.
One possibility being explored is a plot next to Spalding Air Training Cadets’ headquarters at Castle Field.
Coun Angela Newton has asked cabinet members Gary Porter, Nick Worth and Howard Johnson for their thoughts and suggestions.
She said: “I’m more than happy to try and help the branch find an alternative site for its headquarters, although I don’t expect it to be an easy task.
“I’ve always known Broadgate Homes to be a very community-minded business and their kind offer is to be applauded.
“I hope we can all work together to bring something to fruition and enable the Spalding RBL branch to have a bright future in new premises.”
