New displays commemorate centenary of Royal British Legion

Date published: 15 May 2021

Two new displays commemorating the centenary of the Royal British Legion have been installed by Rochdale In Bloom in Norden and Rochdale (Friday 14 May).

The new display at the Norden war memorial consists of a large mosaic of the new Royal British Legion logo, created by artist Gill Rothwell – who created the poppy mosaic stone installed last October for Remembrance Day – alongside a ‘100’ display made up of marigold flowers.
 

Read more: Mosaic poppy stone installed at Norden war memorialPublished: 28 October 2020

A small service of appreciation took place in Norden, attended by the president of the Rochdale branch of the legion, David Forbes, Peter Clegg, President of Rochdale & District Fusiliers Association, plus veteran and local businessman Harry Bell, Norden councillors Peter Winkler and Jim Gartside, and members of Rochdale in Bloom.

Additionally, new signage of the logo has been fitted at the Rochdale pop-up garden near the Rochdale cenotaph, as well as a similar floral instalment.

Both displays have been sponsored by H Bell & Sons, a long-standing partner of Rochdale In Bloom.

Gill told us how she had spent roughly 30 hours creating the artwork, and was “chuffed to bits” with how it turned out, as she employed a new technique on the mosaics.

She added: “There was a bit more pressure than the poppy but I couldn’t wait to see it in a public place. It’s given me a real confidence boost.”

Peter Clegg, President of the Fusiliers Association in Rochdale, said: “Having something like this is fantastic for 100 years of the Royal British Legion.”

Paul Ellison, vice chairman of Rochdale In Bloom, said: “Gill’s poignant work rightly recognises 100 years of the Royal British Legion, which does so much to support our troops and veterans. It’s only fitting that such commemoration be added to the cenotaph in Norden alongside Gill’s wonderful poppy, and alongside the memorial pop-up garden in Rochdale.”

The Royal British Legion was formed in the aftermath of World War One when four organisations came together to fight the injustices faced by those returning home after service – and became the British Legion on 15 May 1921.

Since its inception, The Royal British Legion has supported service men and women, and ex-serving personnel as well as their families.

Wreaths have been laid at cenotaphs across the country at 9am on Saturday (15 May), recreating the moment 100 years ago when the British Legion was formed at the Whitehall Cenotaph, including at Rochdale by Mr Forbes and the Mayor, Billy Sheerin.

The Mayor said: “I am proud to acknowledge the vital support that the Royal British Legion have provided for our armed forces personnel and veterans since its conception in 1921.

“100 years on, the RBL continues to respond to the changing needs of the Armed Forces community. This is achieved by providing small interventions, to life-changing, and sometimes lifesaving, support.

“The annual Poppy Appeal runs for several weeks before Remembrance Sunday raising much-needed funds for the legion and also acts as a reminder of those who fought for the freedom we enjoy today, many paying the ultimate sacrifice.

“May God bless them all; we shall never forget.”