REMEMBRANCE Sunday commemorations in Benson look to have a secure future – a year after fears that the Last Post had been heard for the final time.

After many years organising the parade, Don Passey and Ken Hicks, the chairman and vice-chairman of the village’s Royal British Legion branch, wanted to step down.

They had been unable to find anyone to take over and were considering laying up the branch standard in St Helen’s Church.

But, after an appeal in the Oxford Mail days before last year’s parade, volunteers stepped forward to offer their help.

Now, with a new branch chairman about to take office, a plan is being drawn up to secure the long-term future of the RBL branch – founded in 1921 – and the Remembrance Sunday parade.

Peter Eldridge, who will take over as chairman on Wednesday, November 11 – Armistice Day – wants more young people to join the legion and to attract more members from the village’s RAF air station.

Mr Eldridge, of Brook Street, who at 59 is one of the branch’s youngest members, said: “The Royal British Legion in Benson is safe as long as its members continue to work towards keeping it going. We’re going to try to keep things going for as long as possible and I hope to forge new links with the base. What I’m looking to do is get young-er people involved.

“I think we’ve got five years, easily.”

Two members will also dedicate time to ensuring the parade goes ahead each year.

Mr Passey, who has been the branch chairman for 32 years and a member for 59 years, is relieved the tradition will continue.

The former Army Lance Corporal said: “I’m 80 and the vice-chairman is coming up to 87 and two others are well in their 80s. So last year we all thought it was about time some others took over.

“I thought it was going to close and then a new chap stepped forward.

“All the members said they didn’t want it to close. The branch has been going since 1921.

“We seem to have solved the problem and everything is going to be fine.”

Branch membership has plummeted from 160 to 52 in the past 10 years.

The commander of this year’s Remembrance Sunday parade, Warrant Officer Mick Lindop, of RAF Benson, said: “This time last year, we were planning what could have been the final Remembrance Parade in Benson.

“It seems that with renewed vigour, the parade will now be going from strength to strength.

“As always, RAF Benson will be sending a flight of airmen, a parade commander and a wreath, which will be laid by one of our senior station officers.

“I hope to see as many people as possible marching and lining the streets in support of this great event.”

This year’s parade will leave Benson Post Office, in High Street, at 10.45am on Sunday, November 8, and will march to the village war memorial, in Oxford Road, before a service at St Helen’s Church.

eallen@oxfordmail.co.uk For information about the Royal British Legion, call 01844 261506 or see oxfordshire.britishlegion.org.uk