I WRITE in support of the letter published from Mr Roberts on July 23.

There are a couple of inaccuracies that are, I believe, due to misconception and confusion amongst the public that the branch and club are somehow connected.

In truth the Falmouth Branch of the RBL and the Falmouth RBL Club, now the Arwenack Club, are two separate and independent organisations. They have to be because one is a charity and the other is not. 

The present situation is the culmination of events stretching back over 20 years which came to fruition four years ago.

When at a branch general meeting the county chairman addressed the members, basically telling them “that if they didn’t do what they are told to do” then he would “shut Falmouth down”. The reply to this extraordinary threat was an almost unanimous Churchillian two finger salute from members.

Within days the RBL licence was withdrawn from the club and the branch committee, which the members never elected anyway, withdrew from the premises cutting themselves off from the members and holding their secret meetings in a local pub.

Later, on three separate occasions, general meetings were held, but the decisions taken by members were overturned by that same chairman. At the final meeting, held last year, members were given a stark choice, close the Falmouth branch or amalgamate with Penryn. Something that would never happen because Penryn members have refused to even discuss any form of union with Falmouth.

So the members of Falmouth, of which I am one, have been issued with Penryn cards as new members. Unfortunately, the county officials, having caused the troubles at Falmouth and indeed other Cornwall branches, have now apparently deserted Cornwall and retreated across the Tamar to Plymouth.

Some might think that to raise these issues at this time is disrespectful to those who gave their lives to protect our democratic society from the bully boys of this world.

In reply I shall repeat the words of Mr Roberts “Who protects us against the home grown bullies?”

S Fearn,
Swanvale,
Falmouth