Veterans' Breakfast Club marks a year since it first started in Ashby at the White Hart
By Graham Hill
1st Mar 2023 | Local News
A breakfast club for those who have served in the Armed Forces has celebrated its first anniversary.
Ashby's monthly Armed Forces Breakfast Club was set up at the White Hart pub 12 months ago.
And Saturday saw it mark one year since then, with a group of almost 40 people coming to the Market Street venue.
The breakfast was set up by Ashby Royal British Legion chairman John Lynn - and he says it has proved popular, as well as providing a contact point for veterans.
John told Ashby Nub News: "The Armed Forces Veterans' Breakfast Club is a worldwide thing now - not just Ashby.
"The whole concept of it came about when an ex-Royal Engineer used to go and visit his friend on a Saturday morning and they'd have a cup of coffee and a breakfast.
"From that, they formed a Breakfast Club. I'd been to one in Whitwick and someone asked me why Ashby didn't have one.
"We got in touch with the White Hart and they agreed with the suggestion. And it came about that, once a month, the veterans would have use of the room at the back of the pub.
"Then Matt Feeney took over at the Hart and he's reduced the price for us - and he's a qualified chef, the breakfast is outstanding.
"But we've got bigger and bigger. We had a breakfast in here on Christmas Eve - as it was the fourth Saturday of the month, which is when we have them.
"That day, 43 people turned up. I advertise it on social media and lots of people like it, but they don't all come along."
John explained how the Breakfast Club works.
He added: "It's veterans getting together, with their families, kids included. They can get together, have a bit of banter with each other.
"But, if need be, we can point people in the right direction if they need help. We're all here to help each other.
"We've all been through similar experiences - but different at the same time - and we all speak the same language to each other.
"It means you can spend a couple of hours with each other and have a laugh. It doesn't matter who you served with, which means you're welcome at the Breakfast Club."
White Hart landlord Matt says he has been happy to continue to host the veterans every month.
He added: "I took over in July and my parents live in Ashby which was a key thing in me coming over here.
"Then I got introduced to John and he told me about the Breakfast Club.
"I'm a massive supporter, it's good to give something back to those who've given us so much. It's an honour to do this with John.
"It's grown and grown with word getting around, and it's good for the community and for the veterans."
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