Veterans unite to celebrate St George

Veterans’ In Communities’ celebrate St George’s Day with breakfast at Sandon House, Heywood

England’s patron saint was right royally celebrated at Veterans’ In Communities’ (VIC) Sandbag Café in Heywood.

Nearly 50 armed forces personnel, including three WW2 veterans and supporters of VIC and Heywood Veterans Association, attended the St George’s Day breakfast at Sandon House on Tuesday 23 April, they then made the short walk to the cenotaph where a St George flag was hoisted on the flagpole.

VIC Volunteer outreach Worker Liz Davies, who is also secretary of the organising committee of the Sandbag Cafe, said: “I am really pleased with how well it has come together and how well supported the breakfast has been.

“We have now got a committee together to oversee everything, we have welfare officers and also a social committee to organise trips.”

A group recently visited the Imperial War Museum and further trips are planned to Leeds Armouries, Rochdale Fire Station Museum and Bury’s Fusilier Museum.

Liz’s daughter Lauren, who is assistant treasurer, said: “There were five of us who came down the night before to put up decorations and bunting, sort the food and get everything ready.”

Heywood Veterans’ Association support the work of VIC and chairman Chris Harris arranged the ceremony at the cenotaph. Several members came dressed to the brunch as England’s patron saint.