A Royal British Legion Club has looked back on the good times at its former clubhouse after it was forced to move out.  

The Chesham Royal British Legion Club has become homeless after its lease at the McMinn Centre came to an end in December last year.

Despite the challenges currently facing the popular social club, its secretary Ralph Baker remained optimistic about finding a new base soon.

The Chesham club has endured uncertainty before – and gotten back on its feet to support the community.

In 2009, the previous club house burned down in a shocking fire. They were uprooted until 2015 when they took up home in the McMinn Centre.

Their lease at the Centre came to an end after the building was sold to a developer and is to be developed into flats.

He said: “I know it’s a sad story we’ve got nowhere to go and we’re looking for other places. And we have had quite a lot of support from the local community making suggestions and trying to find places for us. I’m hoping we might have some good news coming up soon.

“The problem is we not only need to find somewhere that is affordable, but if it’s a new building then we’ve got to modify it to make it suitable for our needs anyway.

“The lease we need is a bar and a cellar, because we’re a social club selling alcohol.”

The club is the focal point for the British Legion in Chesham, providing members a space to meet, drink and socialise.

Because the Royal Navy Association also met at McMinn Centre, they are currently also without a home, Mr Baker said.

“It’s affecting the service community and the ex-services members – they don’t have anywhere to go in terms of meeting their friends and colleagues and having a chat about the old times.

“We were doing our best to provide something for them." 

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Over the years, the club has hosted numerous beer festivals, including one during Queen’s Jubilee with a Tea Party for veterans and serving Armed Forces members and their partners.

“The New Year’s Eve party every year was always very special.

“We’ve had parties to celebrate members special 60th, 70th, 80th and 90th birthdays,” Mr Baker said.

Every year, the club provided drinks and sandwiches after the Remembrance Day Service and events to mark D-Day and the Centenary of the end of World War One.

Last year they raised £360 in support of DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

One of the most popular events was the Skittles night using a purpose build Skittle Alley.

A racehorse night featuring a horse track and wooden horses was “also popular and a bit of a giggle,” he said.

Both the Skittle Alley and race horse track are available for hire. 

“We have had our own Darts and Crib teams that are now unfortunately playing elsewhere while we are homeless,” he added.