Veterans club plan by village bar owner

Steve Spencer served 22 years in the Army before finally settling down to run Spanners Bar on Heckington High Street opposite the village green.

He explains: “I noticed the incredible turn out we had here last Remembrance Day.

“Coupled with the amount of serving/ex-serving personnel that came back to the bar, the idea was hatched to form Spanners Mess Club (SMC), to be held every Wednesday from 12noon.

“The concept is to encourage veterans and ex-serving members of HM Armed Forces to have a base, where they can socialise, swap stories and relive past experiences, with like minded people that share the same unique sense of humour.”

The many locally-based serving Armed Forces and emergency services personnel are welcome too.

He hopes it will become an established feature, with regulars getting membership discount rates, free snooker and pool between 12noon and 5pm, plus darts, cards and dominoes.

Steve also hopes it will be an outlet for often isolated veterans. He admits: “You miss the camaraderie and it takes a lot of adjusting when you leave. Our ultimate mission is to combat the present enemy - loneliness.”

At the Remembrance Day event he recalls: “There were some senior veterans who thoroughly enjoyed it, and it is those sort of people I want to target too in case they are sat at home wondering what to do.”

Depending on response he may open it to the wider elderly population.

Steve said staff at RAF Coningsby and the British Legion have been supportive and he hopes to be a link to the Legion for those in need.