Why we won't forget (From The Bolton News)

Why we won't forget

BOLTON'S former servicemen will take to the streets of the town on Sunday for the Remembrance Day Service and March Past on the Town Hall Square.

The two-minute silence will be marked by a bugler and guests in Bolton are asked to assemble at the Festival Hall by 10.40am in preparation for the service at 10.56am with coffee and biscuits available later.

The event is just one of many planned for folk across the borough to remember the efforts of the area's war veterans.

Ex-mariners from HMS Dido are planning a packed weekend starting this afternoon with a reception by the mayor at his parlour in the Albert Halls, followed by a meal at the Moat House.

On Saturday a party of 60 people will meet during a Remembrance Concert at the Albert Halls, with a memorial service taking place on Sunday, next to the cenotaph.

Another Bolton group has organised a Remembrance Day dinner at the Halliwell Centre Reform Club, Brownlow Way, this evening.

And on Sunday, the Bolton Veterans Association will open the doors of Rock House in Duke Street, at 8.15am, in preparation for a parade to the cenotaph, led by Bolton Hoover Band.

The veterans will then proceed back to Rock House for a celebratory singing session and cabaret, with tickets available from the association's chairman, Norman Naylor, on 840774.

Meanwhile, in Astley Bridge veterans will meet at 9.30am at the Astley Bridge British Legion, Belmont Road, before marching to St Paul's Church for a service.

Horwich folk will see a march from the Ex-servicemen's Club at 11am, stopping off at the Cenotaph in Lever Park before returning to the club for refreshments.

And in Walkden, veterans will assemble at the British Legion, on Wilfred Road, for a march to St Paul's Church for a 10am service, stopping off at the cenotaph on their return walk at11am.

In Westhoughton there will be a service at the Parish Church of St Bartholomew at 10am, a service of remembrance at the war memorial at 10.45am, and a parade.

The parade will assemble at Greenfields Private Members Club at the rear of 68 Wigan Road at 9.20am, departing for the parish church at 9.40am before moving to the war memorial.

A second parade will then march up Church Street, along Lord Street, The Avenue, Central Drive, Bolton Road and Market Street, returning to Greenfields Private Members Club.

Wreaths

In Kearsley, servicemen will depart from the British Legion, in Springfield Road, at 9.50am, for a short service and the laying of wreaths at the war memorial at 10am.

There will be another service at St Stephen's Church at 10.30am.

In Golborne a service of Remembrance will be held at the War Memorial in Barn Lane at 2.30pm, preceded by a procession from the Legh Court Car Park, Legh Street at 2.15pm. Wreaths will be laid by a representative of Wigan Council, local organisations and the public.

People in Hindley will assemble at the District Office car park, Cross Street, from 10.30am, for a walk to St Peter's Church, with a stop at the Cenotaph for a short service.

The congregation will reassemble and walk along Atherton Road, George Street, Chapel Green Road, Bridge Street and Cross Street to the District Office for the National Anthem.

Little Hulton veterans will participate in wreath laying at St Paul's Church, Peel Lane, at 11am, following a service at 10.15am.

And in Leigh, a parade will assemble at Marsh Gymnasium, Ullswater Street, at 10.15am, before proceeding to the Cenotaph in Church Street Gardens, via Railway Road, Market Street, Lord Street, Charles Street and Church Street.

After the service there will be a procession to the Town Hall Square, led by a band, via Church Street, Vernon Street, Bradshawgate, Market Street and St Mary's Way, before heading to the Royal British Legion Headquarters in Windermere Road for dispersal.

In Blackrod, the mayor, Cllr Marlene Winward, is set to join members of the town council and the Royal British Legion at the war memorial at 2.15pm.

It will be followed by a service at St Catherine's Church of England Church at 3pm.

Lowton folk can attend a service at St Mary's Church, Newton Road, at 10.30am, preceded by an assembly in St Mary's school yard at 10.20am. Wreaths will be laid after the service.

And in Tyldesley, the parade will assemble on the Market Square at 10.20am, proceeding at 10.25 to the Cenotaph in the Cemetery via Elliot Street, Manchester Road and Hough Lane.

After the service the parade will return to the Market Square via the same route and the mayor will take the salute as the parade passes the Town Hall.

The British Legion said more than 50 million people across the country are set to fall silent at 11am on November 11.

A spokesman for the organisation said: "We are proud to have led a very strong resurgence in observance of the two minute silence over the last four years.

"Remembrance is being taken more and more seriously and we are confident that interest in the subject, particularly in schools and colleges, in growing."

According to figures released by the British Legion, UK observance has risen from 57 per cent of the population in 1995 to 72pc last year.

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