Heywood gives flight to RAF street signs dedication

Residents, councillors and cadets at the Heywood RAF street signs dedication service

Heywood residents, councillors and armed forces personnel came together to dedicate street signs commemorating the town’s historic links with the Royal Air Force.

Specially designed heritage signs have been erected on local roads named after Second World War heroes including Sir Douglas Bader and Wing Commander Tony Whitehouse.

Streets with historic links to famous RAF stations Biggin Hill, Northolt and Tangmere have also been decorated with the evocative signs.

The Rochdale Borough Council funded signs, which have been beautifully engraved with the poppy and RAF Roundel, can be seen at 11 streets across Heywood.

At the service Wing Commander David Forbes saluted Heywood’s role in supporting the RAF during and after the Second World War. A number of stations were located around the town and many local streets were named when they were built, but never dedicated to those who served in the local area.

Wing Commander Forbes said: “Heywood’s link with the RAF is strong and lasting. The really good turnout at the dedication ceremony underlines how much the historic connection means to the town. Lest We Forget.”

The council’s lead member for the Armed Forces, Councillor Alan McCarthy, said: “It was to heartening to see the town coming together to dedicate the signs ensuring Heywood’s proud past lives on with future generations. The signs are a fitting tribute to the men and women who played their part in winning the peace and protecting our freedom.”

Heywood Township chairman Councillor Peter Rush thanked people for attending the service and praised the part the town played in ensuring Heywood and the RAF will forever be linked.

The Heywood streets that have been dedicated are Bader Drive; Biggin Gardens; East Church Way; Hendon Grove; Hornchurch Court; Kenly Drive; Northolt Fold; Tangmere Avenue; West Malling Close; Whitehouse Close; Wings Grove.

The Royal British Legion has a weekly base at Number One Riverside, Rochdale. Every Thursday from 11am-1pm, legion members provide face to face advice and support to serving personnel, veterans and their families.