'They will never be forgotten': Armed forces flag raised above town hall
The armed forces flag was raised above the town hall to mark the beginning of Armed Forces Week.
A short service was held this morning Monday (June 23) in Victoria Square to mark the occasion.
Reverend Hannah Lane welcomed the crowd for coming to the short service to mark the start of Armed Forces Week.
She said: "During the ceremony, the armed forces flag will be raised above the town hall where it will fly proudly until Saturday evening.
"At the same time we will also remember those who have served in the armed services in years gone by with such distinction and sacrifice.
"And we will think of our service men and women who are serving now, those currently committed overseas, especially those in active service."
The gathered crowd was then invited to take part in a two minute silence to remember all those who have died in service.
Bolton Mayor David Chadwick (third from left) said that Bolton takes great pride in the flag. (left to right): Cllr Deirdre McGowan, Bolton mayoress and mayor Valerie and David Chadwick, Westhoughton mayor Gillian Wroe (Image: Newsquest) Mayor of Bolton, Cllr David Chadwick, said: "Armed forces flags will be raised across the country today to mark the start of armed forces week
"Here in Bolton we take great pride in raising our own armed forces flag."
The mayor said that the day was to celebrate those currently serving, as well those who have lost their lives in years gone past.
He said: "They will never be forgotten.
"This is the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two.
"This Saturday, we will celebrate and commemorate our armed forces on armed forces day."
The national anthem was then played.
The start of Armed Forces Week was marked with a short service and the armed forces flag was raised above the town hall (Image: Newsquest) Before ending the service, Rev Lane formally invited everyone to attend Armed Forces Day on Saturday.
She said that that there would be a range of activities taking place on Victoria Square, which would start with another service.
She said: "We are proud to be able to highlight and say thank you to our armed forces - thank you."
READ MORE: Horwich childhood friends cycling Western Front Way
READ MORE: Salute our Forces: why Armed Forces Week matters more than ever
READ MORE: RAF chief set to be new head of armed forces – reports
A free veterans' lunch was then held in the town hall by the mayor, with live entertainment.
Carrs Pasties, Park Cakes Bolton and Bank Top Brewery have offered to serve food and beer free of charge in support for our veterans and serving members of the armed forces.
On Saturday, June 28, the council will hold their annual Armed Forces Day event in Victoria Square from 10.30am to 3.30pm with a short service followed by a family fun day with lots of stalls and free activities, such as paintballing.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
‘It's in our blood': Bolton veterans celebrate Armed Forces Day 2025
Bolton celebrated the culmination of Armed Forces Week on June 28, bringing together representatives of veteran groups, cadets, charities and members of the public to celebrate the achievements of the British military past and present. The day began with a short service and was followed by a family fun-day, where people could find out more about the different aspects of the Armed Forces and have a go at various activities, including paintballing. For the veterans in attendance, Armed Forces Day, which falls annually on the last Saturday of June, is one of the most important dates in the calendar. Simon Skirving, 64, Chairman of the Bolton Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club, said: 'It's about celebrating the sacrifices made in the past and the sacrifices people are making today. That's why it's important.' Mr Skirving joined the army in 1974 and said he would 'go back tomorrow' if he could. He was attending Bolton's Armed Forces with fellow Breakfast Club members and veterans Captain Rameshchandra Mistry, 69, who served in the 216 Battery RA Bolton and Macbool Wahid, 56, who served as a regular with the Royal Signals for 10 years and the Reserves for 20. Simon Skirving, Captain Rameshchandra Mistry and Macbool Wahid from the Bolton Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club on Armed Forces Day 2025. (Image: Bolton News) When the Breakfast Club started in Bolton almost two years ago, there were four regular members and now there are around 20. Mr Skirving added: 'When you have a chance to get together, with your medals on, I feel proud. And when people come and say to you: Thank you for your service, we're all proud.' Mr Wahid said: 'I joined it when I was 16. I don't regret it for a second. I absolutely loved it, it made me the man I am now and got me to where I am now. Without the training and discipline you can't succeed. It gives you a good grounding. It's the comradery – you can never replace that.' Armed Forces Day is also an opportunity to teach the public about what the military does and stands for. Veteran Ken Rathbone, 74, who was in Victoria Square with his fellow members of the Bolton Royal Naval Association, told The Bolton News that he hopes events like this will inspire a new generation of servicepeople. Members of Bolton's Royal Naval Association, including chairman Richard Hilton (front left) and Ken Rathbone (back right). (Image: The Bolton News) He said: 'What we would like to do is encourage the younger generation, if they're thinking of going into the armed forces. Everyone in the forces thinks they're from the best force, but we've been lucky enough when we joined the navy to have travelled the world. 'It's a golden opportunity for the younger generation to see the world, but belong to an organisation that will pay for them, look after their health and give them the comradeship that we still have from 50 years ago. 'Once navy, always navy.' Vicky Plimley, 41, is a reservist from the 103 Regiment at 206 Battery, based on Nelson Street. After a 22-year career as a kitchen designer, Ms Plimley decided to ditch her office job for something more 'exciting and worthwhile'. 'I didn't know anything about the army at all before I went in. I didn't know what an L118 Light Gun looked like,' she said, pointing at the weapon on display next to her. 'I turned up for Tuesday night drill session, went through basic training and the rest is history.' Reservist Vicky Plimley next to a L118 Light Gun. (Image: The Bolton News) Since joining the reserves five years ago, Ms Plimley has been to Kenya, Austria, trekking in Nepal, gained some mountaineering qualifications and is currently preparing for a six-month stint in Cyprus. She quit her 'civvy' job last year to focus on her military career. She said: 'It's the best thing that I have ever done. It's hard work, but it's so enjoyable. You meet great people, you visit places that you never would before, but take that first step, be brave, go and speak to somebody, ask questions, see what it's about.' Another community represented in force at Armed Forces Day was Bolton's various cadet groups. At one point, a large group of them gathered together on Victoria Square for a penalty shootout. Sergeant Armstrong, 61, was manning a stall with members of his army cadet group. Here, teenagers learn invaluable skills, such as problem solving, communication, mountaineering, to name but a few. Sergeant Armstrong manning the army cadet stall at Bolton's Armed Forces Day celebrations. (Image: The Bolton News) When asked about why Armed Forces Day is so important today, he said: 'I think it's great to give people an understanding. We're not teaching cadets to go off into the army, we're purely giving them the skills, but the more that people see of the Armed Forces, the better it is, for people to realise that we gave a lot for everyone else. Especially in today's climate.' For veteran Ryan Yates, Armed Forces Day is a way of raising awareness. In 2021, the 37-year-old founded Veteran's Army, a Bolton-based non-profit organisation that supports ex-servicepeople and their families. What started as an online platform on social media has grown to offer a 'plethora of services' nationally. He said: 'The reason that Armed Forces Day is important is because the nation as whole needs to accept the sacrifices made by veterans and the family members of veterans. There should be support in that, but unfortunately, in this day and age no one really cares. 'With my PTSD, when I looked for aid, I didn't know where to go, what was good, what wasn't good, a lot of people were saying that what they were doing was the best thing to be done. We've made it a lot easier, much more streamlined in our own services.' Ryan Yates (left), founder of Veteran's Army (Image: The Bolton News) He added: 'For too long we've gone with not recruiting, not supporting veterans, not supporting people that want to join the military, not advertising it in the right way and not seeing it as a career path. 'A career in the military is by far the best thing I ever did. I joined at 16, I did ten years, and I don't regret a single thing. There's not many veterans that would say they regret it.' This sentiment was a common theme among all the former servicepeople we spoke to, most of whom were out in Bolton to celebrate the comradery that the army has given them. As Richard Hilton, 71, chairman of Bolton Royal Naval Association, put it: 'It says it quite clearly on our poster: unity, patriotism, comradeship and loyalty. That's what we are all about, we've done the job, we know the job, and now we've finished the job, we're still get together 'It's in our blood. That's why we do it – and we have a good laugh along the way.'
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Removal of 'eyesore' hoarding at landmark welcomed
The removal of "eyesore" hoardings covering the front entrance to a city centre landmark has been welcomed. The "unsightly" barrier was put up at the entrance of Shire Hall in Gloucester last October to undertake "essential maintenance to damaged steps". In February, Gloucestershire County Council chiefs said the hoardings were not expected to be removed for several months while plans to alter the building's entrance were drawn up. However, they have now been taken down. Shire Hall chiefs revealed in March that the entrance had to be decontaminated after "defecation and urination" on the front steps. More news stories for Gloucestershire Listen to the latest news for Gloucestershire Councillor Rebecca Trimnell said: "I really hope the work that has been done for good. I wouldn't want the hoarding to go up again for more months on end." Gloucester City Council leader Jeremy Hilton said he welcomed the removal of the "eyesore" hoardings. He said: "I'm delighted that the unsightly hoardings outside the main entrance to Shire Hall have finally been removed. "Over time, they became an eyesore - completely out of place in a conservation area and so close to the cathedral. "Their removal under the new Liberal Democrat administration has already made a noticeable improvement to the street scene. "It's a small but significant step in restoring pride in this important civic building." A council spokesperson confirmed that the current essential maintenance works have been completed and they do not have any further work planned. Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Landmark decontaminated after 'defecation' reports Gloucestershire faces decision on 'super council' Talks underway to decide if county should split in two Gloucester City Council
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Neurodiverse students cycling more than 1,000 miles to raise awareness
A group of neurodiverse students are cycling more than 1,000 miles to raise awareness. Pupils from Appleford School, in Shrewton, are riding from John O'Groats to Land's End in the Appleford JOGLE 2025 challenge. The journey began on Wednesday, June 18 and will continue until Wednesday, July 2, aiming to promote understanding of learning differences like dyslexia and ADHD, while also raising funds for empowering student opportunities. The team, composed of 14 to 16-year-olds, has been making steady progress despite tough weather conditions. Read more School praised for maintaining high standards and inclusive ethos 'Beautiful' new outdoor classroom built by volunteers in just eight days Scouts earn new badges after completing emergency first aid training They are completing the Appleford JOGLE 2025 challenge. (Image: Appleford School) To donate to their fundraiser, go to On Monday, June 23, the young cyclists travelled from Crianlarich to Larkhall, covering over 72 miles. Although they faced wet and windy conditions, the weather was not as severe as expected. The students showed remarkable teamwork, taking turns leading the group. Two tandems were also utilised, considering the wind conditions. Despite the challenging terrain, the team arrived at their destination, tired but proud. Their journey is being closely followed on social media, where supporters can track their progress and contribute to their cause via a GoFundMe page.
