RBL Lurgan and Brownlow Branch

01/09/2026

𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗘𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮𝗯𝗲𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘀, 𝗟𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗿: A massive 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞 𝗬𝗢𝗨 to everyone for 𝙔𝙊𝙐𝙍 incredible efforts in raising an amazing £42,514.67 for the 2025 Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal across Lurgan and District!

But, as the fundraising for the Poppy Appeal never truly stops, we are already gearing up for the 2026 Lurgan and District Poppy Appeal that will launch this October. So, please keep an eye out for a full list of upcoming events, with detailed information being announced by the last week of September! But as an early ‘heads up’ here is an overview of what we have already planned:

𝗞𝗘𝗬 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗣𝗢𝗣𝗣𝗬 𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗟 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗗𝗜𝗔𝗥𝗬:

· 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟭𝘀𝘁 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝟭𝟮:𝟬𝟬 𝗡𝗼𝗼𝗻 – 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹. To be held in the Lurgan and Brownlow Clubrooms. All welcome!

· 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟯𝗿𝗱 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 (𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗧𝗕𝗖) – 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗼𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝘇 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰𝘀’ 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗲. This has, once again, been organised by our friends in the Mechanics’ Institute, and we are as in previous years immensely grateful for their wonderful support!

· 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟱𝘁𝗵 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝟲:𝟯𝟬 𝗽𝗺 – 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗼𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲. To be held in St John’s, Sloan Street.

· ‘𝗣𝗢𝗣 𝗨𝗣 𝗣𝗢𝗣𝗣𝗬 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗣’ – this will be held, once more, downstairs in our Clubrooms between 𝟯:𝟬𝟬𝗽𝗺–𝟲:𝟬𝟬𝗽𝗺 on 𝗙𝗿𝗶 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗮𝘁 𝟮𝟯–𝟮𝟰 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟯𝟬–𝟯𝟭 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟲–𝟳 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿. Drop in for pre-ordered Wreaths, Crosses, Badges…and browse our second-hand book sale! ‘Walk Ins’ are also very welcome!

· 𝗣𝗢𝗣𝗣𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗙𝗙𝗟𝗘 – Tickets (priced at £1 each) will be on sale from the last week of September, when you can also view the prizes in the Downstairs Bar.

· 𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗖𝗢 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 – Poppy Stalls will, once more, be returning to Lurgan and Craigavon Tesco. Dates and times to follow.

𝗣𝗢𝗣𝗣𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗕𝗢𝗫𝗘𝗦 – Poppies and Collection Boxes will be distributed to local schools, shops, pubs, clubs etc in the first week of October. But if you know of any locations that we missed last year, then please let Elizabeth Maginnis or Ian Uprichard know so we can deliver one!

If you have made it this far, then…Well Done! 👏😀 However, I have one last point… 𝙬𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙮 𝙤𝙣 𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙚𝙧𝙨 to assist with the Poppy Appeal. So, if you would like to volunteer to support any aspect of the Lurgan and District Poppy Appeal then please contact either myself or Prichy. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲!

26/08/2026

21/08/2026

MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT COFFEE MORNING – LURGAN AND BROWNLOW RBL – SATURDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER 2026:

Pop the date in your diary…Lurgan and Brownlow Branch and Club Committee Member, Mrs Jennifer McKinley, cordially invites you all to a Macmillan Cancer Support Coffee Morning. that will be held in the Lurgan and Brownlow RBL Clubrooms, Union St, Lurgan, between 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, on Saturday 19th September 2016.

So, come along for a catch-up and enjoy a delicious array of teas, coffees, savouries, and ‘sticky buns’, and live music and songs by the wonderful Tracey!

There will also be a Raffle held on the day, with all of the proceeds being donated to Macmillan Cancer Support.

It’s set to be a fantastic afternoon. Please come along, bring your friends, and support this incredibly worthy cause! 💚

14/08/2026

To mark the retirement of Lurgan and Brownlow Branch Chairman Squadron Leader Jim Maginnis from the RAF after over 40 years’ service, the Joint Lurgan and Brownlow Branch and Club Committees made a presentation of a ‘Celebratory Cake’ and an Inscribed Tankard to Jim at the ‘Thursday Night Bingo’ on 13th August 2026.

Handing over the tankard, Lurgan and Brownlow Club Chairman, Clive Higginson, thanked Jim for his service as both a Fast Jet and Helicopter Navigator, and latterly a Staff Officer, and for his time in operational theatres such as Northern Ireland (Op BANNER) and Afghanistan (Op HERRICK). Clive finished by mentioning just how much Jim’s wife, Elizabeth, must be looking forward to having him at home 24/7. Curiously enough, Elizabeth declined to comment on the accuracy of that statement! 😉

And when pressed on his new status, Jim insisted that he doesn’t look upon himself as ‘retired’, rather, he claims he is merely ‘resting’—in the traditional manner of an out-of-work actor. However, Elizabeth was quick to point out that it’s a very convincing performance, noting that Jim appears to have been 'resting' for the last forty odd years! 🫨😄

The ‘Joint Committees’ would like to thank Mrs Jennifer McKinley for being the ‘driving force’ behind the presentation. And also, thanks must go to ‘The Kosy Bakery’ of Union Street, Lurgan for the donation of the magnificent – and delicious – cake, which was enjoyed by all of the regular ‘Bingo crowd’!!!

14/08/2026

Following the death in March of Lurgan and Brownlow RBL Club Committee Member, erstwhile Bingo Caller, and our very good friend Ady Lutton, on 13th June 2026 Lurgan and Brownlow RBL held a Charity Night in Ady’s memory. The magnificent total of £550 was raised on the night, and this was split between ‘Marie Curie’ and ‘Pulmonary Fibrosis NI’ – the two charities chosen by Ady’s partner, Sandra Corbett.

Consequently, at the regular ‘Thursday Night Bingo’ on 13th August, Sandra was presented with a cheque for each of the Charities by Mr Albert Houston, the Lurgan and Brownlow RBL President.

Pictured from L-R are: Sqn Ldr Jim Maginnis RAF (Retd), Chairman, Lurgan and Brownlow RBL Branch; Albert Houston; Sandra Corbett, and; Clive Higginson, Chairman, Lurgan and Brownlow RBL Club.

A big ‘Thank You’ to everyone who supported the Charity Night and helped us honour Ady's memory.

12/08/2026

‘SOME STORIES ARE TOO POWERFUL TO BE TOLD IN WORDS ALONE’: THE ‘ART OF HEALING’ EXHIBITION IN BROWNLOW COURTYARD – SATURDAY 22ND TO FRIDAY 28TH AUGUST 2026

Between Saturday 22nd August to Friday 28th August the Ancre Somme Association Charity are staging an exhibition entitled ‘THE ART OF HEALING’ in Brownlow Courtyard, Lurgan. The exhibition, showcasing the work of local artist Gladys Fletcher, has been described as ‘deeply moving’!

Born and raised outside Keady during the turbulent years of the Troubles, Gladys Fletcher's life was changed forever on 31st August 1975, when her father, Joseph Reid, was murdered at the front door of the family home by the Provisional IRA. Joe was a 46-year-old husband, father of five, farmer, and a part-time UDR CGC Lance-Corporal. More than fifty years later, the pain of that loss continues to be felt by those who loved him.
Following her retirement, Gladys rediscovered her passion for painting. What began with landscapes and still life evolved into a powerful personal journey, capturing memories of the Loyal Orders, the Northern Ireland Troubles, and the landmarks of her adopted home in Belfast. Through every brushstroke, she preserves history, honours the past, and shares her own remarkable journey of healing.

As Gladys says: ‘I have no idea where this path will take me but at the moment, I am enjoying and finding it all very therapeutic.’

This exhibition offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience a collection of artwork that is both deeply personal and historically significant. It is a story of resilience, remembrance, hope, and the healing power of creativity.

Admission is by donation, with all proceeds supporting the Northern Ireland Purple Poppy Memorial. For further information, or to arrange an evening visit – the exhibition is ordinarily open from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm please contact the Ancre Somme Association on either 02838 810109 or [email protected].

The Ancre Somme Association warmly invites all to join them for this inspiring exhibition, and to discover how art can preserve memories, tell untold stories, and bring healing across generations.

11/08/2026

We would love to see new veterans at our get to gethers. Please feel free to come along for a cuppa and a chat.

07/08/2026

FROM MRS ELIZABETH MAGINNIS, LURGAN AND DISTRICT POPPY APPEAL ORGANISER – SECOND-HAND BOOK SALE AT NORTHWOOD HEADQUARTERS RAISES £277 FOR THE LURGAN AND DISTRICT POPPY APPEAL

Prior to his retirement from the RAF on 21st July 2026 after nearly 41 years’ service, Lurgan and Brownlow Branch Chairman, Sqn Ldr Jim Maginnis RAF (Retd), organised a Second-Hand Book Sale in the foyer of the Northwood Officers’ Mess – with kind permission of the President of the Northwood Officers’ Mess Committee – with all takings going to the Lurgan and District Poppy Appeal.

As per the Second-Hand Book Sales that were held in the ‘Pop Up Poppy Shop’** in our Clubrooms in the last couple of years, paperbacks were priced at £2 each and three for £5; and hardbacks £4 each, three for £10. And over the four weeks of the sale a fantastic sum of £277 was raised – a combination of cash deposited in an ‘old fashioned Poppy Box’, and monies collected by Direct Debit, where Northwood Officers’ Mess Members could pay for books via their Mess Bills.

I would like to thank Jim for donating books from his large and somewhat eclectic collection, and also Jim’s colleague, Major Matt Williams RE, who kept an eye on the venture whilst Jim was back in Northern Ireland on Terminal Leave.

**Due to the success of this endeavour over the past two years, we will once again be running the ‘Pop Up Poppy Shop’, during the 2026 Poppy Appeal. At the beginning of September I will be pushing out a comprehensive list of Poppy Appeal-related events, but as early ‘dates for your diary’, the ‘Pop Up Poppy Shop’ will be open from 3:00pm to 6:00pm on: Friday and Saturday 23rd and 24th of October; Friday and Saturday 30th and 31st of October; and Friday and Saturday 6th and 7th of November. As well as the collection of pre-ordered Wreaths and other Remembrance Materiel, ‘walk ins’ are most welcome, and I’m sure that I can persuade Jim to organise another Second-Hand Book Sale!

I look forward to seeing you over these weekends, and please remember, volunteers to help run our stalls in Lurgan and Craigavon Tesco will be made most welcome!

01/07/2026

Photos from this morning