Walsall

The groundwork for South Staffordshire’s first; and so far only ABOD branch club, was prepared by ten Loyalists from Walsall and Birmingham on the 24th February 1988, when they held their first meeting at the Royal Exchange public house in Bloxwich, South Staffs.

Bro. Steve Grey, who was unable to attend that initial meeting, is the only remaining member whose name appears on the clubs charter. Six of the original members were RAPM from LOL 242, Lord Cairns Memorial from Birmingham; and all were members of Corby No Surrender Club, which at that time had a membership of 60. The regular unofficial meeting quickly attracted a wider interest and the members soon decided to apply, through the auspices of Corby No Surrender, to the Mitchelburne Parent Club for a charter. The first officers elected were President, Duncan Squires; Vice-President, Neil Richman; Chaplain, Terry Turner and Secretary, Steve Grey. The charter installation took place at the Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall on Saturday 16th December 1988, with the Parent Club holding a special meeting for that purpose.

The new clubs first official meeting in Walsall took place on the 26th January 1989 at the Towns main United Reformed Church, with members hailing from Walsall, Birmingham, Coventry and Corby. In it’s early days the club was greatly assisted by (the now sadly late) Bro. Eric Jackson of the English Amalgamated Committee (EAC); to which it became affiliated.

The branch club currently has 20 members and meets regularly. The club has had five Presidents since it’s inception; Duncan Squires, Neil Aldridge, John Hartley, Dave Johnson and current incumbent Steve Grey. The other current officers are Vice-President, Jim Spencer; Chaplain, Peter Langford; Treasurer, Stuart Wallace and Secretary, Dave Johnson.

Many of the members are also Sir Knights of RBP 1043, Burning Bush Of Birmingham; and all are RAPM of LOL 242, Lord Cairns Memorial; LOL 224, J.F. McCord (Birmingham); and LOL 1912, Blair Maine Memorial (Banbury, Oxfordshire).