From the 5th to the 10th of November 2024 (Remembrance Sunday) I will pursue a 60-mile Walk of Remembrance throughout Rossendale for local charity Veterans in Communities

The walk is set for a duration of five nights and six days carrying kit and essentials required for the duration. Covering around 60 miles, visiting all 60 known World War sites in Rossendale. The walk includes Cenotaphs, Memorials, Rolls of Honour and Commonwealth Graveyards. At each location the last post will be played and a tribute to the fallen will be left in Remembrance.

Members of The 38th Rossendale Open Scout Group (Squirrels & Beavers) have very kindly created and donated over 60 Remembrance Crosses that will form an integral part of the walk’s ceremonies.

On Remembrance Sunday I will parade the final three locations. Firstly, with Army Cadets & staff from my detachment (Accrington) at Oak Hill Park at 10.45. From there I will walk to Haslingden & parade with VIC members, Army Cadets & staff from Haslingden Detachment 1300. Finally, I will walk to Rawtenstall where I will parade with Accrington & Haslingden Cadets & staff at 14.35.

Personal thoughts...

For as long as I can recall I have attended or paraded on Remembrance Sunday. For family WWI, With family WWII veterans, as a Cub Scout, a Soldier & a Veteran. Remembering is part of me, and something I hope passes on to future generations.

A tour of the World War battlefields and memorials in France & Belgium with VIC in September of this year was especially poignant, given the company. On return I naturally began to reflect. My Great Grandfather, George Speddy Lancashire Fusilier & Royal Irish Fusilier (KIA Gallipoli 1915) who through recent research we have been fortunate to find a photograph. My Great Uncle Eric Woodhead - REME WWII. My Great Uncle James Schofield - Navy WWII. The incomprehensible bravery & sacrifice of so many, the impact both WW’s had on my own family and our local communities.

In my research for Rossendale Memorials I found the Rossendale Family History Society whose website provided me with a stunning insight into The War Memorials & Rolls of Honour of Rossendale. A huge extended thank you must go to their members & research team without which the concept or actuality of this walk would likely never have materialised.

Veterans in Communities (VIC) is an East Lancashire based Armed Forces charity formed in 2012 to support those have served in the Armed Forces or Emergency Services in the Rossendale, Pendle, Burnley, Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale areas. Their Veteran Services offer wide ranging support for those who have served, and their families. Indeed, I have seen and felt much of what they do, first hand.

At this time of year national charities often take precedent.

Lest we forget those a little smaller and closer to home, supporting our Veterans in our Communities.

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Sped