IT was the changing of the guards for a military veterans’ group in Seascale.

The Seascale and Sellafield Royal British Legion branch swore in a new standard bearer this week, after legion member James Kimber departed to join the Army.

James, 20 from Seascale, succeeded his late father, Rod, to become the Standard Bearer for the village and is now heading to join the Royal Armoured Corps.

He is succeeded by Stephen Saxon, veteran of the Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, who will take on the ceremonial carrying of the famous blue and yellow standard.

Due to Covid, the legion followed the rule of six outdoors and swore in the new standard bearer in the chairman’s back garden, with a dozen other members of the legion witnessing the event through the online platform Zoom.

James was delighted to see the baton being past to a new set of hands.

He said: “The legion has given many of the local veterans around here a good rallying course to march behind and there is great comradely in this branch.

“It has prepared me well for my new army life and I hope to keep in touch with all the members at the branch.”

New Standard bearer Stephen said: “I am thrilled to be taking on this new role for this part of West Cumbria.

“We serve the villages of Seascale, Gosforth, Drigg, Holmrook, Ravenglass, Colder Bridge, Eskdale, and Wasdale with Nether Wasdale and the whole Sellafield veterans community.

“We are always looking for new members to help us fund raise and honour those who served in the armed forces.”

For more information on joining the Seascale and Sellafield branch of the Royal British Legion head to https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/things-to-do/membership