AFTER three years of dormancy a Winchester branch of the Royal British Legion has officially reformed.

The group of 15 met in Kings Worthy’s Sports and Social Club to create the new committee and set targets for the coming year.

Kings Worthy RBL first started more than 85 years ago but stopped due to dwindling numbers. Now chairman Tony Dowland has made it his mission to get it running again.

He said: “We are very pleased because we have been dormant as a sub branch for the last three years. We want to hurry slowly. We are going to achieve the achievable.”

The branch will reengage in the Poppy Appeal in November, continue remembrance commemorations and do welfare work with ex-service men and women.

Mr Dowland, of Meadowland, did national service from 1952-54 before spending 13 years part-time with the Royal Observer Corps in Winchester.

The meeting saw three RBL county officers and the county secretary, Stephanie Harris, attend. Mr Dowland was appointed as chairman whilst Colonel John Sweeting was elected as vice-chair.

Mike Downie is the secretary and Roly Clarke the standard bearer.