Veterans quit Royal British Legion over subscription changes

RBL members are known for their fundraising efforts and remembrance services for fallen comrades

About 1,000 veterans in north Wales have voted to leave the Royal British Legion in a row about changes to the way subscriptions are collected.

It wants fees paid via direct debit or at banks but some members say they prefer to pay cash at their local club.

Colwyn Bay branch members are so angry they are boycotting the organisation and changing their club's name.

The RBL said the changes had been made to modernise systems and "improve the relationship with members".

But Maj Merfyn Thomas, from the Colwyn Bay club, said: "We realise that the RBL want to move on to the 21st Century but members don't want to.

'Paying at the bar'

"Veterans don't want to pay the banks. The banks are closing, and they don't want to bother with computers either.

"They prefer to continue paying subs informally in their clubs. They can pay by direct debit but many want to carry on paying cash at the bar."

Colwyn Bay Club, with its 400 members, has removed itself from RBL and neighbouring Conwy Club, which has over 300 members, is also leaving, with clubs at Flint and Llysfaen doing the same, according to BBC's Welsh language programme Newyddion 9.

The Royal British Legion said it wanted to modernise systems to support the organisation going forward.

"The new system will bring longer-term savings and allows members a greater choice of options as to how they wish to pay their subscriptions," a spokesman said.