The Royal British Legion
Gran Alacant & La Marina Branch

The Gran Alacant Branch of the RBL was first established in 1995 and merged with La Marina Branch in 2012

RBL Madrid Branch
Memorial in the Peace Garden in Gran Alacant

About the Royal British Legion

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The Royal British Legion is recognised as the national custodian of Remembrance.

Membership is open to everyone who shares the values of the Legion to support the Armed Forces community, irrespective of nationality or background.

The Royal British Legion is the United Kingdom’s leading Armed Forces charity providing care and support to all members of the British Armed Forces past and present and their families. It is also the national Custodian of Remembrance and safeguards the Armed Forces Covenant between the nation and its Armed Forces. It is best known for the annual Poppy Appeal and its emblem the red poppy.

The Royal Charter

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The Royal British Legion is a body incorporated by Royal Charter. The Charter sets out the RBL’s objectives and powers. It also details how the organisation is to be structured, organised, managed and run.

The first Charter was granted to the British Legion, as it was known then, in 1925 by King George Ⅴ. That first Charter has been changed by various Supplemental Charters to develop alongside the needs of the serving and ex-Service community, and the evolving structure of The Royal British Legion. HM King Charles Ⅲ is the Patron of the Legion.

The Charter may be downloaded from the RBL website.

Support

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The Royal British Legion provides lifelong support for the Armed Forces community – serving men and women, veterans and their families wherever they are in the world.

If you are a serving member of the Armed Forces, have served or are the dependent or carer of someone who has served in the UK’s Armed Forces, then you could be eligible for help from our Branch. Check the Support page for a complete list of eligible beneficiaries.

Spain District North also has a Community Support Coordinator who can provide help. He is available from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, at +34 676 451 780 or you can email.

Meetings

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The Branch meets at The Pub in Gran Alacant. The meetings are held on the first Monday of the month at 2pm, except in the new year and in summer. Check the Events page for exact dates. The pub is located on Masa Square.
See map at [38.23340,-0.5433]

Poppy

Poppy Appeal

Poppies are “worn to commemorate the sacrifices of our Armed Forces and to show support to those still serving today.” The British remembrance poppy is the trademark of The Royal British Legion. The RBL states, “The red poppy is our registered mark and its only lawful use is to raise funds for the Poppy Appeal”, the yearly fundraising drive in the weeks before Remembrance Day. Other poppy merchandise is sold throughout the year as part of ongoing fundraising.

In England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and also in Spain, the poppies typically have two red paper petals mounted on a green plastic stem with a single green paper leaf and a prominent black plastic central boss. The stem has an additional branch used as a pin to anchor the poppy in the lapel or buttonhole. The yearly sale of poppies is a major source of income for the RBL.

The poppy has no fixed price; it is sold for a donation or the price may be suggested by the volunteer. The black plastic centre of the poppy was marked “Haig Fund” until 1994 but is now marked “Poppy Appeal”.

In Scotland, the poppies are produced and distributed by the Earl Haig Fund Scotland. Poppies produced by Earl Haig Fund Scotland appear slightly different from their RBL counterparts, with the Scottish poppy being curled with four petals and no leaf.

New Plastic‑free Poppy

Paper poppy

This is the first time in 28 years that a new poppy has been developed. The new plastic‑free poppies can be recycled in ordinary paper recycling collections.