World War One Remembrance Plaque unveiled

A plaque remembering those who died in the First World War has been unveiled at Bank Top Community Centre.

The Wensley and French Road Friends installed the plaque at the community centre as part of their commemorations to mark the centenary of the Great War.

Tony Bolton, a bagpiper from Blackburn, played tunes as people arrived and members of social group the Recycled Wrens gave a poetry recital.

Councillor Kate Hollern, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, unveiled the plaque. The event was part funded by Your Call.

Councillor Hollern said:

I was honoured to unveil the plaque. I feel it is very important that the borough marks this anniversary. As the plaque says, rightly, every generation will always remember those who died.

I am very keen on community groups putting on commemoration events. That is why I set up a small grants pot for Your Call groups to apply to. I am pleased so many community groups came forward.

The Wensley Friends have done a lot of excellent work over the year including regular litter picks and organising social events for the community. I also want to say the recycled wrens were excellent and hope to see them again in future.

Laurence Fox, who is a member of the group, said:

We are delighted with how many people came on the unveiling.  It’s thanks to initiatives such as Your Call that people of Blackburn and Darwen are able to organise this type of event and bring people together to commemorate such important dates in our history. As an added bonus the sun shone at just the right time.

You can find more pictures from the event on Flickr here