Heritage Open Day and Cemetery Walk attracts over 80 visitors to the event

Over 80 members of the public attended a very successful WW1 Heritage Walk organised by the Friends of Darwen cemetery during the Heritage Weekend held recently.

Residents were invited to view and comment on the forthcoming FODC Heritage Lottery Bid which will see a WW1 Heritage feature along with several Heritage walks involving children and the public over the next few years.

(Photograph : From the left, Jean and David Yates left with Rossendale and Darwen MP Jake Berry and Billy Briggs, BwD Grave Maintenance member of Staff. )

The walk organised by FODC Trustee Tony Foster and supported by Harold Heys gave an insight into the 60 plus WW1 causalities buried or
commemorated in the Western Cemetery.

The event attracted the Mayor of Darwen, Counc. Trevor Maxfield and prospective Labour candidate Will Straw.

Chair John East, said, “It is very moving to hear the stories of the men and woman of Darwen who died in the WW1 and are buried and remembered here in Darwen Cemetery.

The Friends have made a marvelous tribute , especially in the Heritage 100 year of the start of WW1.

Tony Foster has produced a walk and an accompanying book – available from Darwen Library or via the FODC website.”

Visitors were able to see many of the projects that FODC are working on, including the Lottery Bid for our tribute to World War One in the Cemetery.

Many visitors enjoyed a brew before the walk started.

Many thanks to Tony and Harold for taking the walk.

And a big thank you to all the members who helped get the Community Hut ready and help run the event on the day.

FODC September 2014