A LAST-ditch appeal has been issued to save a Royal British Legion Club from closing after more than 50 years of service to the community.

The Yarnton RBL Club could be making its final call for last orders on Sunday as the recession and a fall in membership has seen the club rack up about £5,000 in losses.

Accountants have advised managers to shut up shop.

However, a Special General Meeting will be held with legion members tonight to see if the 53-year-old venue can be saved.

Yarnton RBL branch secretary Peter Talboys, 69, said: “This club is a real way of life for people and it would be such a shame if it died out.

“The club is a family. Everybody knows everybody and now we need people to step forward to try and save that.”

“The club is in serious danger of closing and we need people who can offer time or money to contact us.

“I fear our branch could also fold.

“If the club isn’t there membership of the legion could drop dramatically.”

The branch has lost about 100 members over the past three years.

However, Mr Talboys believes the club could be saved by a cash injection or if volunteers are willing to run it free of charge.

News of the closure has come as a shock to members who attend the club’s popular dance nights and could now be dancing an emotional final last waltz tomorrow.

Roy Gascoyne, 75, who has been going to the club with his wife Veronica for more than 45 years, said: “It’s such a smashing club. The place has a lot of memories for us, we have had so many dances there.

“We hope they manage to keep it open.

“Saturday could be very emotional because we might not see some of the dancers ever again.”

John Mason, 74, who is a regular dancer with his wife, Ann, said: “We will be bitterly disappointed if it closes.”

As well as the thriving dance nights the club also has two indoor and outdoor eight-a-side Aunt Sally teams The club in Rutten Lane, Yarnton, near Kidlington, also offers facilities for members to play pool, darts and snooker.

Sarah Bottoms, 28, who has been secretary of the club for the last three years, said: “We hope and pray we can stay open but its got to the point where accountants have said closing is advisable unless we can come up with a cash injection to see us through the recession.

“I fear it will close but I’m hoping for the best.”

Anyone who can help save the club by donating time or money should contact Mr Talboys on 01865 375121.

cwalker@oxfordmail.co.uk