Flowerbed proudly commemorates First World War Centenary

Flowerbed proudly commemorates Great War Centenary

A commemorative flowerbed has been planted in Broadfield Park as a colourful reminder that this year marks 100 years since the beginning of World War One.

The flowerbed, which measures a whopping 12m by 5m, has been planted below the John Bright Statue in Broadfield Park, creating a highly visible landmark to all traffic travelling down Manchester Road. Designed with the image of the classic poppy and a simple ‘1914 – 2014 Centenary’ message, the flower bed is part of a series of World War One events.

Commemorative flowerbeds will also be created in Heywood and Middleton, with two tiered planters being placed at each of the cenotaphs in Littleborough and Milnrow.

4 August, exactly 100 years after the declaration of war, will see reflection ceremonies take place across the borough, culminating in ‘Lights Out’ - a mass public event aiming to echo Sir Edward Grey's famous epitaph "the lamps are going out all over Europe".

The famous Todmorden to Rochdale march by the Lancashire Fusiliers will be re-enacted on 10 August  while the Corps of Drums will have a dedicated stand at the Feel Good Festival.

Sultan Ali, Chairman of Rochdale Township Committee, which provided funding for the flowerbed, said “Commemorative events are happening across the borough between 2014 and 2018 and we hope to engage our communities across Rochdale borough. School children have been provided with poppy planting packs from the Council and Armed Forces charities and voluntary groups are also getting involved. The Great War affected the lives of many families in the Rochdale borough it’s important that we reflect and remember the huge sacrifices of our Armed Forces and their families.”