Members of the Royal British Legion in Skegness are celebrating after winning one of the organisation’s highest national honours.

The Skegness branch has been awarded the prestigious Haig Cup in recognition of the dedication, hard work and community spirit shown by branch officers, members and volunteers over the past year.

Presented at the Royal British Legion National Conference in Brighton, the Haig Cup is regarded as the Legion’s most sought-after national award and is fiercely contested by branches from across the country.

The award recognises branches which best demonstrate the Legion’s core values of “Connect, Support and Remembrance” while upholding the organisation’s Royal Charter and supporting both members and the wider community.

National Royal British Legion chair Lynda Atkins (centre) with Skegness branch chair Kev Woolley and vice chair Tracy Turner.

placeholder image — National Royal British Legion chair Lynda Atkins (centre) with Skegness branch chair Kev Woolley and vice chair Tracy Turner.

A statement from Lincolnshire County praised the Skegness branch for its outstanding community work.

It said: “Skegness Branch engaged with local schools, businesses and the wider population through their community project, which brought the community together in a BIG way.

“It wasn’t just about the knitting of poppies, but about bringing the community together.

“They were granted, free of charge, a shop — thank you to the Hilldreds Centre for your constant support — which became a local hub for beneficiaries, members and families to come together, beat loneliness and find purpose; something you simply cannot put a value on.”

Special thanks have been extended to volunteers, supporters, local businesses and the wider community whose backing helped make the achievement possible.

Vice chairman Tracy Turner collected the award on behalf of the branch after being nominated by fellow officers in recognition of her contribution and commitment.

Branch chairman Kev Woolley said: “Myself and the branch officers all agreed that Tracy should collect the award in recognition of the passion and outstanding contribution she has made to the branch, particularly over the past two years, which has resulted in us achieving such a prestigious national award.”

The Skegness delegation received the loudest cheers of the conference as they collected the honour.

Tracy’s trademark humour also reportedly left National President Vice Admiral (Retd) Paul Bennett CB OBE laughing during the presentation.

Branch members say the award highlights how the modern Royal British Legion continues to evolve while remaining true to its founding values of “Service Not Self”.

They added that supporting beneficiaries, tackling loneliness and bringing communities together remains at the heart of everything the branch does.