BUSINESSES and residents in Bromley Cross have banded together to create a unique Remembrance Sunday display, as well as raising funds for charity.

A local resident led the fundraising initiative for Dunscar War Memorial with others, raising £1,402 for the Royal British Legion, which includes a £90 direct donation for the bed of poppies featured in the display.

Nick Haworth, an amateur historian, and Cllr Samantha Connor began working on the project three years ago, with much loved Cllr David Greenhalgh, who died last July.

Nick has been interested in the First World War for 20 years, and was in search of his next quest.

This then led him to researching the brave soldiers from both world wars.

After sharing what he was working on in the Bromley Cross Facebook group, Cllr Connor asked him if he wanted to turn it into a display.

He said: “It’s absolutely amazing to see that someone wanted to take my work further. I was blown away with the feedback I received.

“It’s gone from dry research into a community asset.”

The aim of the display is to exhibit Nick’s research for education, remembrance and reflection.

Those involved in putting the display together include Nick Haworth, Elsworth Timber, Love Rosie Floral Design, and DPI.

The ‘Men Behind The Names’ display features Nick’s research, beautifully presented on a framed board, flanked by two ‘Tommy Soldiers’, laid on a bed of poppies.

One poppy has been laid for each name on the column at Dunscar War Memorial, in support of the Royal British Legion and the 2021 Poppy Appeal

Six firms generously offered sponsorship for the display, each donating valuable funds to support the Poppy Appeal - including the Spread Eagle Public House, Copy Print Services, Baker’s Tea Room, Bromley Cross Opticians, The Cycle Surgeon and Fireglow.

Bolton Council also holds more than £11,000 raised during the year to continue the upkeep of the memorial, aside from what is currently on a crowdfunding page.