THE Wem branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL) has received an award for its communication skills over the last year.

The branch has won the Branch Efficiency award, which is given to the branch that has shown over the past year that it has provided excellent communications, with regular meetings and having a regular newsletter.

President Ted Davies and chairman Phil Moyse were delighted to receive the award on behalf of the Wem Branch.

Membership at the branch has also increased in the last year, with 18 new members joining, bringing the total number of members to 54.

A few years ago the branch launched the concept of inviting youth affiliated groups to the RBL was launched, with Shawbury Air Cadets being one of those to join the initiative this year.

Wem Army Cadets were affiliated in 2013, and have joined the branch in many parades and events since then, and Wem RBL say they look forward to working with both groups over the coming years.

Fundraising has also been extremely well supported in Wem with people attending RBL stalls at the carnival, sweet pea day, town hall stall, market days, summer barbecue and coffee mornings.

The total raised for the Poppy Appeal, ending in November 2019, was £12,223.56.

Philip said: "[What] a wonderful amount from a very supportive town.

"Thank you all. The work that Christine Saxton and Ann Whitfield have done over this period of time is much appreciated by its members."