After some 96 years, the doors to the Royal British Legion & Ex-Service Men’s Club in Ryde have closed for the final time.
The club – located on St James’ Street in the heart of the town – has been a pillar of the Ryde community since 1928 when the building was donated to the local veteran community. But on Friday (12th January), pints were poured for the very last time. Those on the committee realised they couldn’t carry on when their insurance renewal came through the post just before Christmas and, despite trying to ‘muddle through’, a decision was made to shut up shop. Speaking to Island Echo, club secretary, Val Austin said:
“We knew we were fighting a losing battle. We ummed and ahed and tried our best to keep things going but it just wasn’t meant to be. “It’s very sad to have to close the doors but things are out of our control. I’d like to thank the members over the years who have supported us right until the very end”.
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Val – who became secretary some 8 years ago – said that despite some regulars still using the club daily, as time has passed member numbers have dwindled for a variety of reasons. At the time the decision was made, the club had 44 members – the oldest of which was 95. On the final evening of trading, members new, old and existing, as well as a group from the Royal British Legion (RBL) club in Shanklin, visited the premises for one last hoorah. Full of Navy, Royal Air Force and Army memorabilia – most of which were donated – in its pomp, the club was a social hub with competitive darts, billiards, cribbage and snooker teams. The baize still attracting punters right until the end. 
The yearly highlight – and when the club was at its busiest – was always on Remembrance Sunday, with Val remarking that there were always queues out of the door and onto the street when the time came to commemorate our fallen heroes. Some of the current members may make the journey to other clubs on the Island – located in fellow seaside towns Shanklin and Ventnor – but for others, it is the end of an era. One member, Mike, told Island Echo:
“I’m in here everyday, I’ll miss the people who are in here with me. “I’m sure well keep in contact, but it will be sad to see this place go. I’ll keep myself busy by doing some gardening.”
Despite knowing that numbers have been on the decline, the club could not advertise outside the premises due to listed building constraints. The club has just 3 months to clear the premises of all items before they must sell up. All monies raised from the sale are to be donated to the other 2 Royal British Legion clubs on the Island, on Collingwood Road in Shanklin and High Street in Ventnor. Anyone who has donated items to the club is invited to collect them – proof of ownership is needed to allow items to be handed over.
