THE ROYSTON branch of the Royal British Legion honoured those that have supported it at a special presentation evening last week.

Twenty individuals and organisations were given awards for their support of the Legion on Friday evening at its Mill Road headquarters.

Branch chairman Chris Murphy said: “Many people and organisations from the town have supported the Legion and have not received any recognition for their contributions.

“I am acutely aware that although we here at the Legion are very busy ourselves, many of the activities and events that we conduct throughout the year are supported in many different ways by the community.

“This could be the provision of a PA system at the annual Remembrance service, or the support from the mayor and local and district councillors, or the tradesman and other individuals who have helped with phase one of the refurbishment of our headquarters.”

Among those honoured were Andy Rowe, a Royston-based carpenter who helped with the refurbishment of the hall last year, vicar Les Harman of Royston Parish Church who leads Remembrance services, and town mayor Cllr Martin Beaver who made the Legion one of his charities for his tenure.

Cllr Beaver said: “I am very thankful and proud to receive this totally unexpected award.

“The Royston Branch of the Royal British Legion has been helping servicepeople past and present for 90 years, and although their needs have changed over that time, its work is as vital as ever.”

There was also an award for The Crow, for our coverage of the Legion’s events throughout the years.

Councillor Tony Hunter

Councillor Fiona Hill

Councillor Martin Beaver, who made the RBL one of his chosen charities

Andy Rowe - Carpenter

Charlie Andrews - long-standing Legion bingo caller

Les Harman - Vicar at Royston Parish Church

Les Baker - former editor of the Royston Crow

Shaun Sillet - Legion member

Dave Gobell - former Legion branch trustee

Pam Davis - women’s section of the Legion

Sylvia Hall - long-standing member of the Legion

Maureen Duprez - long-standing member of the Legion

Ron Beech - long-standing supporter of the Legion

Ron Smith - Far East prisoner of war veteran

Royston Town Band

2484 Sqn. Air Training Corps Bassingbourn

The Brian Racher Trust

The Royston Crow

Mr Ian Henderson

Mrs Shirley Winter