Special centenary bench to grace Heywood Memorial Gardens

The World War One centenary bench will be installed in February

A bench in Heywood Memorial Gardens is set to be replaced with a special centenary bench.

The World War One centenary bench will be installed in February and features silhouettes of the armed forces and alongside a nurse and vintage ambulance.

A turning point in world history, the Great War claimed the lives of over 16 million people worldwide, leaving a huge impact on all those who experienced it.

The Rochdale borough was no exception: approximately 3,000 local men died of the 15,000 -16,000 who fought in the war, according to a dissertation by Michael Bull entitled ‘Rochdale and the Great War 1914 - 1920.’

The bench is entirely in black, save for two scarlet British Red Cross symbols on the nurse’s uniform and ambulance, and five crimson poppies.

The words ‘Lest We Forget’ and the dates of the war finish the bench off nicely to ensure a fitting tribute that will last.

Rochdale Borough Council's Townships & Engagement Officer, Stuart Hay said: "The bench will be installed under delegated authority in Heywood Memorial Gardens, to replace an old bench and further improve our magnificent Gardens."