Ceremony of thanks for the borough’s Remembrance efforts

Date published: 06 December 2019

A special ceremony of thanks for the borough’s Remembrance efforts was hosted at Rochdale Town Hall on Wednesday (4 December).

Certificates of appreciation were presented by the Mayor, Councillor Billy Sheerin, to all those who had taken part in selling poppies before Remembrance Sunday.

Short speeches were given by the Mayor; Wing Commander David Forbes DL MBE, President of the Rochdale branch of the Royal British Legion; and Councillor Janet Emsley, the council’s lead member for the armed forces, before attendees enjoyed a pie supper.

Now in its fourth year, the celebration takes place annually to thank those who have helped raised money for the Poppy Appeal and for their Remembrance efforts.

This year, £43,000 was raised in the town of Rochdale for the Poppy Appeal, plus £40,000 in Middleton and £7,000 in Littleborough.

The Heywood figure is as yet unknown.

The recipients of certificates were as follows:

• 1263 Rochdale Squadron
• 1832 North Manchester Squadron
• Rochdale Sea Cadets
• Middleton Sea Cadets
• Rochdale Army Cadets
• Heywood Army Cadets
• Middleton Army Cadets
• 1st Middleton Scouts
• Oulder Hill School
• Rochdale District Freemasons
• Mike Stirling
• David Barber
• Joanne Baron
• Janet and Chris Earl
• John Sharp
• Julie Grainger
• Gordon Burrill
• Steve Brown
• Hilary Clegg