its substantial funds had been integrated into the accounts of the RBL. Bands There are over 50 Legion bands around the world, each run and funded independently. They include full concert show bands, brass ensembles, pipe and drum bands, marching bands and youth bands. The Central Band of the Royal British Legion is the Legion's flagship band. In existence since 1944, the band was recognised as the Legion's premier band in 1983 and gained its title of "The Central Band of the Royal British Legion" three years later. Clubs The Royal British Legion has an extensive network of Social Clubs called Legion Clubs throughout the United Kingdom. The Royal British Legion also has branches in the Republic of Ireland. Other branches are spread around the world, mostly in mainland Europe, but also in the United States, Thailand, Belize, the Falkland Islands and Hong Kong. The Royal British Legion Riders Branch (RBLR) is a specialist worldwide branch of The Royal British Legion for motorcyclists. Its members hold events such as Weston Bike Night in Weston-super-Mare and rallies such as the RBLR 1000, a 1,000 mile in 24 hours sponsored ride, all to raise money for the Poppy Appeal. Many RBLR members attended the repatriation ceremonies in Royal Wootton Bassett. Ex-services members of the RBLR often wear medals and head-dress with their leathers and motorcycle kit. Scotland Within Scotland, a sister organisation to the RBL, the Royal British Legion Scotland, operates on the same basis as the RBL functions elsewhere within the UK, and is a Registered Charity within Scotland, (SC003323). Freedoms The Royal British Legion has received the freedom of several UK local government areas. See also American Legion Bishopric of the Forces Remembrance Day Remembrance Sunday Returned & Services League of Australia Royal Canadian Legion Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association South African Legion Veterans' Legion of Indonesia National Memorial Day Concert (USA), patterned after the RBL's Festival of Remembrance Notes and references Further reading King, Alex. Memorials of the Great War in Britain: the symbolism and politics of remembrance (Bloomsbury Publishing, 2014). Newall, Venetia. "Armistice Day: Folk tradition in an English festival of remembrance." Folklore 87#2 (1976): 226–229. Wootton, Graham. The official history of the British Legion'' (London, Published for The British Legion by Macdonald & Evans, 1956). Harding, Brian."Keeping Faith: The History of the Royal British Legion" (Pen & Sword Books Ltd, 2001, ) External links 1921