A NEW branch of the Royal Society of St George - which celebrates English heritage, history and culture - has been formed in Great Yarmouth.A dedication and foundation meeting was held at the Priory Centre on Saturday attended by the chairman of the national Royal Society of St George, James E Newton, from Kent; Mayor and Mayoress of Great Yarmouth Cllr Terry and Jenny Easter; representatives of Caister Volunteer Lifeboat, the founding members of the branch and their friends and family.

A NEW branch of the Royal Society of St George - which celebrates English heritage, history and culture - has been formed in Great Yarmouth.

A dedication and foundation meeting was held at the Priory Centre on Saturday attended by the chairman of the national Royal Society of St George, James E Newton, from Kent; Mayor and Mayoress of Great Yarmouth Cllr Terry and Jenny Easter; representatives of Caister Volunteer Lifeboat, the founding members of the branch and their friends and family.

The aims of the branch are to offer a focal point for all local people to be able to celebrate their English heritage, history and culture. It will also focus on Yarmouth's place in English history and how important the town was throughout the ages.

The event was opened with a musical recital from the Eastern Spirit Show Corps followed by the Founding Charter being presented to the new Yarmouth branch's chairman, Andrew Atkinson-Riches.

The officer roles and nominees were proposed and accepted and Caister Lifeboat was voted in as the local charity the branch will be supporting.

The Foundation meeting ended with a donation from the Royal Society of St George to Ian Baker of the Eastern Spirit Show Corps. Afterwards there was a modern theatrical display from local group Dezine, and the celebration evening was rounded off by the NJP Jazz band.

The society's Yarmouth branch will be hosting events throughout the year including on St George's Day, Trafalgar Day, attending the town's war memorial on Remembrance Sunday, with possible additions for the Battle of Waterloo and the Battle of Britain, summer and winter balls and a Christmas Carol concert.

The first official fundraising event is a Trafalgar Day Treasure Hunt on Saturday, October 18. Registration for this event is at The Kings Arms, Northgate Street.

For details or membership information of the Royal Society of St George, Yarmouth branch, contact membership secretary Gary Harris on 07789763477.

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