Did you know there is a new veteran’s association which recently set up in the Legion in Pyle?
I was lucky to pop along and meet some of the members of the newly formed Veteran’s Association on Saturday 18th February in Pyle Legion. With 60 members already on their books they are overwhelmed at how quickly veterans have come together, and are enjoying their time reminiscing, laughing, swapping stories and simply just enjoying making new friends.
Beginnings
On November the 13th 2022, after laying their wreaths at the Cenotaph at Kenfig Hill, a group of veterans (some unknown to each other) returned to the Pyle legion to commemorate falling heroes and to remember them. This official day is Remembrance Day.
Sarah and Lee Grabham, Landlords of the Legion made them feel really welcome. Their own son, Rhyddian, had recently left the army. Rhyddian himself served in the Royal logistic corps (RLC) and did his tour of duty in Afghanistan, He hadn’t really met any other veterans from the area, so he really enjoyed sharing his own story.
Lauraine Mulholland and her husband David were also in attendance alongside Matthew Radmore, Chris Headon, and Ian Underhill. They had all been serving members of the military and were all supported by their Partners.
Lauraine, who is originally from Scotland, met her husband David when they were both serving on tour in Kosovo, Now retired from the army, they both returned back to Wales to be near family, and have a 12-year-old son called Nathan. Matthew served with the reserves for 12 years and now works for Microsoft UK. Chris Headon who served with the royal core of transport (RCT) and Ian Underhill previously served with the Royal Engineers (RE).
During their time together at the legion, and after having such a warm welcome by Sarah and Lee, the conversation turned to, how amazing it would be to start their own Veterans Association, and how appropriate that the Legion (which had been saved by Lee and Sarah) was the perfect place to set this up.
Within just a few weeks from the first conversation they had, Lauraine, Matthew, Chris had Ian alongside their partners opened the doors to the Veteran’s Association for the very first time, to the local veterans of Pyle, Kenfig Hill, Cornelly and Cefn Cribwr. They told me of their amazement at the numbers that walked through the door that first day.
Leader of the Council joins veterans
Veterans were also pleased that Huw David OBE, Leader of Bridgend County Borough Council, popped in himself to meet some of the veterans.
Huw told me:
“The opening of a new association, by and for our veterans and our armed forces is a fantastic achievement. I am delighted that the association is going from strength to strength with new members joining every week.”
“I would encourage any local veterans, and their families to drop in for a free cuppa, a chat and a delicious bacon roll prepared by Jacqui and Dean from Bella’s takeaway. This takes place every Saturday in Pyle Legion 10am-12pm.”
Later that morning, I met a lovely gentleman, Mr. Brian Howells whose wife had recently passed away. When in the army, Mr. Howells told me how he had toured the Far east for 3 years, going on to do a tour of duty in Germany, where he spent another 3 years.
I asked Brian how he was enjoying the new veterans group.
Mr. Howells told me that he is really enjoying himself, he attends every Saturday, he has made so many new friends, and he loves talking to other veterans about their experiences. He also likes to just have a general chit chat – he explained it’s not all about past stories, it’s also about the present events that they are all looking forward to.
Future Plans – and Support is Welcome
I could see myself why people would want to stay, as I walked through the door that morning, I was made to feel very welcome, the atmosphere was lovely and everyone was so friendly. Lauraine was so excited to tell me all the plans they have for the future, and that hopefully includes a new memorial stone, in the grounds of the Legion, where they could host their own remembrance service.
They also have plans to turn the upstairs room into a veteran’s hub, which will hopefully have a pool table, as well as hopefully turn one of the small rooms into an office/ counselling room, with future plans to have counsellors come in to support veterans that need extra bit of help. All these plans need funding, however so far they have had huge support from the likes of Bavo, Bridgend Carers, Pyle and Kenfig Hill Community Council, the Armed Forces Liaison Officer and also local builder Jack Sweetland who has donated his time to help the organisation do some of the building work.
The Veterans Association would like to thank them for all their continued help and support.
There remains a substantial amount of work to be done, and support is welcome, so if there are any other members of the public, Labourers, Builders Painters etc that could help and give their time to the Veteran’s Group then please contact 078040265124 or email [email protected] – the email address of the Pyle and Kenfig Hill Veterans’ Association.
Key objectives of the assocation
There are 6 key objectives created by the Pyle and Kenfig Hill association of veterans and those key objectives are:
1. To provide and support a service to veterans and serving personnel and their families.
2. To promote peer-to -peer advice in a relaxed environment.
3. To work alongside other organisations in order to promote unity and integration into that community.
4. To fundraise and organise functions or events for veterans and serving personnel and their families.
5. To offer guidance and advice to those interested in joining the military and to utilise the association as a drop-in centre.
6. To support the local community and give visibility to veterans and serving personnel and their families in the Kenfig Hill , Pyle and the surrounding areas.
It was a privilege to speak to all members of the Veterans Association, and I look forward to seeing them again in the near future.
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County Councillor Jane Granville writes regular articles for Bridgend Local and we are keen to help her raise awareness as many community organisations as possible. If you would like Jane to visit your organisation, please get in touch.
