Rochdale Council provides training area for Heywood veterans’ charity

L-R: Darren Wright, Cllr Neil Emmott, Cllr Janet Emsley, Major Ian Battersby

Local charity Veterans into Logistics has been given space on Bowlee by Rochdale Borough Council, to enable it to set up its own DVSA-approved reversing test site, which will speed up the process of veterans obtaining their HGV licence.

Veterans into Logistics has successfully trained or supported hundreds of ex-military personnel into new HGV driving careers with respected logistics companies including Asda, Muller and XPO Logistics. This designated training area will enable veterans to practice their reversing skills before taking their HGV driving tests and being on the way to new careers within the logistics industry.

Bowlee is a site of military interest as it is a former RAF barrage balloon squadron headquarters that was struck by a German Luftwaffe plane on 7 March,1941.

Veterans into Logistics chief operations officer and Royal Artillery Battery Commander in the Army Reserves, Major Ian Battersby served over 40 years in the British Army and recently completed 12 years working as a commissioned officer. He is passionate about supporting veterans into driving careers when they leave the military.

He said: “I would like to thank Rochdale Borough Council for allowing Veterans into Logistics to use this designated part of Bowlee to practice our HGV reversing. This has helped the charity immensely and will enable veterans to learn one of the more complicated aspects of their training in a safe and beautiful location with military history.

“Our mission is to reduce unemployment and homelessness amongst the armed forces community. Once veterans have their HGV licence, we can support them into employment, providing structure, stability and financial security.”  

Councillor Janet Emsley, cabinet member for the Armed Forces at Rochdale Borough Council, said: "Huge credit to Veterans into Logistics who through DVSA-approved instructors work hard to help ex-military personnel who can struggle to adapt to civilian life, by providing qualifications, new opportunities, and importantly a new start to gain employment in transport and logistics. 

"The hard-standing area at Bowlee provides the perfect space to train and practice reversing large vehicles and is just another way we can help support the Armed Forces family."

If you are ex-military and interested in a career in logistics, please contact Veterans into Logistics for advice and support at: info@veteransintologistics.org.uk