Basingstoke Veterans' Club relaunches coffee morning

The club has been in operation since 2018 and currently has around 25 members. Since January 5, it meets every Monday from 10am to 12pm at the Spruce Goose at Basingstoke Leisure Park.

The first meeting, attended by the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, Cllr Colin Phillimore, also saw the announcement of a new charity partnership with the Loddon Lilies - a fundraising group based in Sherfield-on-Loddon.

Chairman of the group, Bertie Taylor, said: “The aim of our club is very simple; for all veterans to support each other. We have all walks of life, Army, Navy, Air Force. It's good to get them together.

“The Loddon Lilies, what a fantastic opportunity this is going to be for our club.”

The coffee morning! (Image: Newsquest)

Alongside the Monday meetups, the Veterans' Club also gathers on the third Sunday of each month for a breakfast club at the Spruce Goose.

In Basingstoke, there are currently 6,800 known veterans, with the club keen to reach out and support more members of the armed forces community, including the families of veterans.

Speaking to the crowd, Mayor Phillimore said: “It’s a delight to be here with you. I am a traditionalist, I believe in respect for people who served our country, and I have nothing but respect for you guys.

“You are doing a great job; this is what camaraderie is all about. Hopefully you grow and grow because what you are doing is just marvellous.”

The Loddon Lilies will be supporting the club this year, raising money via sponsored golf and sponsored walks, fetes and stalls at markets.

The group’s Christmas Eve carol service saw £700 raised for the Veterans’ Club.

Jan Holden, from the Loddon Lilies, said: “We are very pleased and very proud to be sponsoring Basingstoke Veterans this year.”