08-05-2025
Row erupts as opposition councillors brand VE Day decorations ‘dismal'
A row has erupted about VE Day 80th displays in and around Bolton Town Hall which have been described by some opposition councillors as "abysmal".
Bolton Conservatives posted images of decorations and commemorations in the town centre to mark today's anniversary.
They show a poppy display which sweeps down the town hall steps and small Union flags which have been placed in flower beds and herbaceous borders.
The cam net poppy display outside Bolton Town Hall placed to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day (Image: Supplied) But Labour and independent councillors defended the displays and criticised people trying to political point score as "the lowest of the low".
In a Facebook post, the Conservative group, said: 'Bolton Labour had planned nothing to mark the 80th Anniversary of VE Day and are now scrambling to put up these dismal displays.
'Do you think that Bolton deserves better?'
The Tories' new leader on Bolton Council, Cllr Nadim Muslim called the display "embarrassing".
Bolton Conservatives have branded the display around the town hall 'embarassing'
He said: 'A sad indictment of Bolton Labour. No care for Bolton, whatsoever, but they were more than happy to do a full event for the socialist International Workers' Day.'
Cllr Hilary Fairclough echoed those views.
She said: 'This 'show' is abysmal, and an insult to those who lived through the dreadful war years, many of whom didn't make it to see VE Day.'
However, Cllr Ryan Bamforth, an independent councillor representing Horwich North and Bolton Council's armed forces champion, has defended the displays and called those criticising them "disrespectful".
Cllr Bamforth, himself a veteran having served 20 years in the army, said: 'Let's remember, I and other veterans didn't fight and for some, die for this country for decorations, displays or gratitude.
'We served because it was the right thing to do.
'To attempt to use this occasion as a political boxing glove is nothing short of disrespectful, disgraceful and vile.
'We deserve better than what some are putting on display, politics is a vile environment at times, keep the armed forces out of it.
'Respect those that gave all for your freedoms, they didn't die for your political parties, they died for the freedom of the people, for the Victory in Europe and this week we should be celebrating that, nothing less, nothing more.'
Cllr Bamforth said he "loved the simplicity of the cam net with poppies" on display and the town hall.
He added: 'They are symbolic of war, sacrifice, peace and the freedoms we have today, but more importantly, they help us remember those that gave all.'
Council leader, Labour's Nick Peel, said: 'Politics has its place but for some people to slate our poppy display to score a point, is the lowest of the low.'
The closing event of the borough's celebrations will be a civic church service and beacon lighting at Bolton Parish Church at 7.30pm on Thursday, May 8.
Military standards will be on parade, the mayor of Bolton will lay a wreath on behalf of the people of Bolton, and Bolton Hoover Band will perform both wartime and military songs.
At 9.30pm, Bolton will join communities across the UK and the Commonwealth in lighting a beacon from the top of the church tower.
Attendance is free and free refreshments will be served in the church afterwards.
