Willow and Poppy tank will complete memorial gardens

VIC Project Co-ordinator Andrea Goodall

Veterans will be completing the final restoration work on a town's memorial gardens including planting a willow and poppy tank.

Charity Veterans In Communities (VIC) approached Whitworth and Healey Horticultural Society about carrying out the works needed on Whitworth Memorial Gardens.

As well as repairing and rebuilding a wall, VIC will complete the project by adding a half size willow and poppy tank structure to the main gateway.
VIC project co-ordinator Andrea Goodall said: “Members of VIC will be able to make a real difference by completing this project and they will learn new skills that they can put to good use in the future.

“Whitworth and Healey Horticultural Society have worked very hard to improve the memorial gardens over the last couple of years, but the final phase needs expertise, physical strength and engineering knowledge.

“The large stone wall at the rear of the memorial is partially submerged as it was originally designed as a supporting wall for the embankment. This has fallen into disrepair and completely disappeared in places.

“VIC aims to rebuild the wall across the central area and back-fill, tidy and remove debris and stone towards the both ends.”

As part of the project they would also remove a collapsed concrete roof and create a stone seating area at the rear of the gardens and making the site ready for further planting.

The project will begin next April and it is planned to have works completed by July, weather permitting.

As well as nearly £3,500 from Whitworth Neighbourhood Forum, volunteer hours are being donated by VIC members.

Andrea added: “This will provide an opportunity for veterans and the local community to work together and plan and support each other.

“We will try to recruit additional members from the Whitworth and surrounding areas to add value to our project and potential new support for the horticultural society’s for future plans.”

The project also ties in with VIC’s plans to raise awareness in the local community about veterans and their issues. It will also help towards launching a Whitworth outreach service. This is part of the larger WWI commemorate works to be undertaken in Rossendale within the next 4 years, starting with Operation War Graves 100, Bacup Cemetery.