Tributes to war dead complete
THE finishing touches have been made to two poignant memorials created to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War.
Work on a new memorial stone in Castleton and a pop-up garden outside the town hall has now been completed, giving Rochdalians two new places to pay their respects to the town’s war dead.
The memorial garden, located outside the town hall next to the Gracie Fields statue, has been created by a horticultural group.
It will include engraved poems, benches, soldier silhouettes, a picture frame aimed towards the Cenotaph and a floral display, including poppies and other symbolic plants.
Organisers say it will be the centrepiece of the town’s entry into both the regional and national In Bloom contest.
In a post on Facebook the council said: “The WW1 pop up display near to the town hall is now complete. A full day of planting yesterday has ensured Rochdale is well and truly #InBloom.
“The number of people stopping to talk, watch, take pictures yesterday and the lovely comments have made the hard work worthwhile and created a fitting commemoration.
“Well done team Rochdale Township In Bloom @marshallsplc and Rochdale Borough Council.”
Castleton’s new memorial is the brainchild of Rochdale In Bloom and Coun Billy Sheerin.
The stone, on the village green, includes the engraving ‘Lest we forget for the fallen of Castleton’.
Paul Ellison, from Rochdale In Bloom, said: “The memorial in Castleton has now be finished, where the engraving has been done free of charge by J Child and Son Stonemasons. Also many thanks to every other company throughout the project for giving up their time.
“I got asked to do this project by Roy Down and Coun Billy Sheerin, and have thoroughly enjoyed delivering this to the villagers of Castleton.
“Many thanks to Paul Rogers, for Marshalls donating the stone. I’ve loved doing this project and giving the people of Castleton an area for them to remember, where soon there will be a service and blessing of the memorial.
“Many thanks to Rochdale Council for installing the soldiers silhouettes and sign.
“This is our donation to Castleton by Rochdale In Bloom.”
Roger from J Child and Son Stonemasons said: “I was happy to engrave this marvellous piece of stone for the people of Castleton
“It has been a moving project to be involved with.”