Peace talks for rival British Legion committees

The sparring groups, which share control of the Rodney Street branch, will discuss the fate of the club tomorrow under the eyes of senior Legion bosses.

Members of the club committee have threatened to barricade themselves into the branch if the Royal British Legion Scotland - represented by the branch committee - pushes ahead with plans to close the club.

Last month their dispute got ugly when the branch committee threatened to call in police to throw out the "squatter" club committee after they refused to hand over keys to the building.

Club president Ronnie Dickson said the club committee were prepared to discuss options with their opposition.

He said: "We've no idea what will come of the meeting, they're running the deal. But we're willing to listen to what they have to say and answer their questions.

"Obviously we want the club to remain open and would not be happy if they said it will close. That'd be the last straw. If we're told they want to close it, we'll help our members find other clubs to join, such as bowling or sailing clubs, but it won't be the same."

The dispute arose when the branch committee announced on July 24 that the club - the last of its kind in the Capital - would have to close due to a funding shortfall.

But while the branch committee is, according to the deeds, the legal owner of the property, the club committee claims that the building in fact belongs to its members and that the constitution at the club is out of date.

Mr Dickson, who has the only set of keys for the Legion, told the Evening News that he would not be handing them over because the venue was a fundamental part of the community.

He said: "This club belongs to its members, and they rely on it. When it was bought, all of the money that went on the deposit was generated by members who came to the events we organised. They don't want it to close and we will fight this decision."

A spokesman for the Royal British Legion Scotland, Neil Griffiths, said: "We have been looking at the books and if at all possible, we will be looking not to close the club.

"We're hopeful that everyone can have a peaceful discussion."