Gran Alacant & La Marina Branch News
Friday, 17th July 2026
Read all about it! The latest Gran Alacant & La Marina Branch news and a selection of other news items of interest to our members. Other news and information can be found further down the page.
Armed Forces Day 2026
Saturday 27th June 2026
Armed Forces Day 2026 was celebrated in Torrevieja, organised by the Torrevieja Branch of the RBL and the Town Council of Torrevieja.
Taking part were Captain Anthony Crabb RN, Defence Attaché at the British Embassy; D. Eduardo Dolón, Mayor of Torrevieja; Ms. Elizabeth Bell, British vice‑consul in Alicante, and numerous members of the Royal British Legion from branches all over Spain District North.
Royal British Legion Charity Auction
Friday 5th June 2026
A very succesful auction in aid of our veterans and families was held in Masa Square Over twenty items went under the gavel, including meals, hampers, art, tattoos, health and fitness, and line dancing.
A big thank you goes to the local businesses and individuals who have generously donated the prizes. Their support has made this event possible.
The auction was followed by music by Alex Tipping. Over €900 was raised to support veterans in our area.
St. David’s Day Lunch
Friday 27th February 2026
Thank you to all who attended our St. David’s Day celebration at James’ Bar & Grill. Thank you to Chef James and his wonderful staff for the amazing food and excellent service. Our Master of ceremonies Carl Graham‑Thomas who lead the communal singing of the welsh anthem.
The kind donations for the raffle raised €225.
After our hearty lunch the celebration moved to The Pub for Jane’s fantastic quiz, where Jane’s spectacular bara brith and Joan’s Chicken and Leek Pie went down like a storm.
RBL events coordinator Debbie put on a first‑class event.
Certificate of Appreciation
Monday 26th January 2026
Paul Kane, President of the Gran Alacant & La Marina Branch and Spain District North Chair, had the honour of presenting a 101‑year‑old WW2 veteran a certificate of appreciation from RBL Spain District North. Members of the Royal British Legion had the honour of celebrating Joyce’s 101 birthday. Joyce is a WW2 veteran and continues to live life with joy and energy, her big smile reflects her kind heart and strong spirit.
Joyce Lee then Goodall was born in West Yorkshire in 1924 she is the daughter of Sally and Alfred Goodall. At the age of 16 years Joyce lied about her age to join the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) after completing her training she was posted to 524th Heavy Mixed Anti aircraft Battery. Joyce was then promoted to Lance Corporal. Joyce’s military service was officially rated as exemplary she was awarded the Defence Medal and War Medal 1939–1945. She served at Spurn Point and Stone Creek between Hull and Spurn Head, both of these sites played a key role in defending Britain during the war. Joyce’s worked there as a radar operator alongside other ATS members.
During the war Joyce met her husband and together raised four children, living now for the past eleven years in Spain with her daughter Sue, still continuing to enjoy life with the same strength and cheer that she showed in her youth.
McCrae Shield Award
Tuesday 9th April 2024
Paul Kane collected the McCrae Shield Award on behalf of Gran Alacant and La Marina Branch at the Royal British Legion Annual Conference in Newport.
The McCrae Shield is awarded at Annual Conference to an Overseas Branch that can demonstrate compliancy and which during the past year has not only supported its membership and beneficiaries, but also positively promoted the Royal British Legion within its District or wider community.
Other News
100th Anniversary of Menin Gate
The iconic Menin Gate is approaching a major centenary in 2027, and the new centenary logo created by CWGC draws its inspiration from the architecture of the memorial, integrating the number 100 to symbolise a century of shared commemoration at the site.
Unveiled in 1927, The Menin Gate commemorates by name more than 54,000 Commonwealth servicemen who have no known war grave.
The 100th anniversary of the Menin Gate is an important occasion not just for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, but for the national and international partners who care for the memorial, and of course, the local people of Ieper who continue to embrace the work over a century after the guns fell silent on the Ypres Salient.
2025 Poppy Appeal
Our 2025 Poppy Appeal has raised an incredible £56.6 million, including £54.1 million raised by the Royal British Legion and £2.57 million raised by Poppyscotland.
This outstanding result means the RBL can continue to provide life changing support to veterans, serving personnel and their families – whenever they need it. From helping people through welfare challenges and providing urgent grants, to offering later life care, running recovery programmes and building vital community connections, this funding will make a real difference.
National Memorial Arboretum
From September 2026 the National Memorial Arboretum will be known as the Royal British Legion National Remembrance Gardens.
The RBL has been the Arboretum’s parent charity since 2003, and the two charities recently merged as one. The name change is inspired by RBL’s vision to bring society together to recognise, remember, and support the Armed Forces community and reflects the site’s role at the centre of our Remembrance work.
Since it opened to the public 25 years ago, the destination has grown into a beautiful and inspiring place where everyone can celebrate lives lived and remember lives lost and welcomes more than 300,000 visitors each year.