Clubs and Societies
Kirby Players in Dick Whittington 1975
Part of the Kirby Players Archive
Kirby Muxloe British Legion
British Legion Parade 1947
Photograph The Will Walker Collection
Royal British Legion Fete, Syston 1989. Photo: The Joan Bloomfield Collection
British Legion past President's board at the Royal Oak in 1938. Photo: The Will Walker Collection
The British Legion was first formed in 1921 and is a charity providing financial, social and emotional support to members, veterans of the British Armed Forces, their families and dependants. Kirby Muxloe opened their own branch at this time and held their meetings and social events upstairs at the Royal Oak Public House. A Royal Charter was granted in 1925, which was accompanied by invaluable patronage from Royal circles. By 1950, there were 3 million Royal British Legion Members, but that number declined to half a million elderly survivors by 2003. Ladies of the village had aways helped with Legion work and the Poppy Appeal, but it wasn't until the end of WWII that they formed the Women's Section in 1946. Success came very quickly, with many dedicated ladies, and by 1956, the group had 304 members on the register. They won numerous cups at both county and area level, including the Chairman's Cup at the National Conference. The first standard bearer was Alice Ball, followed by her daughter Muriel Price, and later Kath Snow. All of them being sucessful in County Standard Bearer competitions. In September 1970, the Royal Oak was demolished and replaced by the Spanish Blade, and the Legion lost their meeting room. This started the decline in both branch and women's sections. There had been a poppy appeal in the village since 1921 and when the men's branch closed in 1984, Joan Bloomfield became the Poppy Appeal organiser for Kirby Muxloe and district, and continued until 2012, when Graham and Ellen Hillier joined her with the task. The Women's Section celebrated its 50th anniversary in September 1996, but finally closed the Kirby Muxloe branch in 2001. With thanks to Joan Bloomfield for information and pictures.
Kirby Muxloe Women's Institute
The Women's Institute movement began in Canada and spread very quickly throughout the country. The first British W.I. opened in 1915 and members agreed to adopt the motto " for Home and Country" used by the Canadian group. The aim of the W.I. is to create a world where women come together to learn, share skills and work together to become active citizens, influencing change to improve lives in their local, national and global communities. The late Queen Elizabeth II was president of the Sandringham branch, having joined in 1943 and celebrated 80 years as a member. She attended group meetings whenever she was in residence there, and is reported to have a great sense of fun. In Kirby Muxloe the first W.I. branch opened its door in 1927, welcoming new members to join what would become an active and long-standing organisation in the village. To celebrate their 90th birthday the group produced three books depicting the history of the organisation from inception to date of the Kirby branch. They are not published books but a compendium of information put together from minutes, photos, interviews and reminiscences over the years. Book one covers the years 1927 to 1977 and was compiled from research and interviews from long standing members. The book recorded the very first outing in 1928 in an open top converted lorry believed to be owned by Jack Forman, and another in June 1947 with a visit to Windsor. The group hold monthly meetings which include external speakers, demonstrations, competitions and the occassional quiz. One of the most ingenious ideas for a competition was "The most articles in a matchbox" - the winning box contained 100 items. They also have a walking group and a hand bell ringing group. They hold spring fairs, and crafting events and recently won 3rd prize in the Kirby Muxloe FunDay Scarcrow Festival with their Calendar Girls entry. The group are well known for supporting all local events, usually with a cup of tea and a slice of cake!
Women's Institute outing to Windsor in 1947
Photograph The Joe Moore Collection
WI outing in converted lorry in 1938
Photograph The Will Walker Collection