Heywood WW1 Centenary commemorations commence

Soldiers from 202 Field Squadron Royal Engineers, based in Failsworth relocate the town’s flagpoles into Heywood memorial gardens

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Soldiers from 202 Field Squadron Royal Engineers are to relocate Heywood’s flagpoles into Heywood Memorial Gardens.

Over the coming weeks and months various additions will be made to the gardens in preparation for the upcoming WW1 Centenary Commemorations. 

• Work by Heywood Sculptor, Harry Simpson on the additional stone carved and painted flags to the present memorial has started. 
• Work by local stonemason Alistair Chadwick on the inscriptions for the new Forgotten Wars and Veterans Memorial will commence shortly. 
• The left flank memorial and all additions will be dedicated next year. 

Heywood Township councillors, after consultation with veterans, decided the commemorations of the 2014 WW1 Centenary should not be in celebration but rather in solemn reflection and remembrance of all those who have died and have served in the Armed Forces since the start of the Great War. 

Councillor Alan McCarthy, Lead Member for the Armed Forces, said “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Royal Engineers for relocating the flagpoles which will enable future wreath laying during Armed Forces week when we fly the flag in support of our service personnel.

"The Armed Forces Community Covenant, which the Council has signed, is to integrate our serving personnel both past and present into the community; this is the covenant in action, working together for the benefit of our town.”