Leek Town Mayor

“We must remember them”

On 13th February 1947 a Halifax delivering supplies to snow-bound communities of Grindon and the surrounding areas, crashed killing the crew and two civilian photographers on board.

A memorial event is held annually to remember these selfless individuals. I was proud to attend the memorial service on February 13 to lay a wreath on behalf of our Leek community.

Events such as this leave one thinking about remembrance and remembering. Most of us bring to mind Remembrance Sunday when we talk about remembrance, but there are 365 days a year when we remember those lost in any circumstance, those whose lives are changed forever, and those who serve us in any way to ensure we are safe.

Eleventh of November has a special place in the hearts of many when we come together collectively, or in our own private place, in our own, and other countries, to honour and remember men, woman and animals lost, those left changed and those service members still serving.

The Royal British Legion as a whole, and our local branch particularly, work with our

The memorial service at Grindon Church on February 13. Photo by Cliff

town council to ensure this event is marked honourably. Members sell poppies each year to ensure serving and ex-servicemen and women are supported.

Membership is slowly falling, and I know our Leek Town Crier, Bill Lomas as recruitment officer for Leek RBL, is tireless in his effort to raise awareness of the need for new members.

Many people in the past two years have had to deal with bereavement and will be remembering loved ones and my thoughts are with them. There may not be a national or local coming together for each of them, but the act of remembering each member of our community lost to us is important.

Communities, families, and friends are altered forever, and we must remember them. Remembering is to keep a piece of information in your mind and your memory, and also in your heart. The loss of someone is immeasurable, but so is the love left behind.

Councillor Lyn Swindlehurst Leek Town Mayor

LE K EK

& Moorlands ECHO

www.timesechoandlife.co.uk

We launched this all new independently owned and locally written newspaper on November 17, 2021, and have brought our readers weekly editions, which are out every Wednesday, packed with lots of news, sport, events and photos of goings-on in our wonderful community.

Would you like to advertise with us? Email jane@timesandecho.co.uk

Here's a list of our Leek & Moorlands Echo stockists so far - more to come when confirmed:

Asda, Springfield Road. Co-op, West Street. Abi Convenience, Southbank Street. Parkers Newsagents, Broad Street. Gill Newsagents, on the corner of Broad Street and Salisbury Street. West Street News, 84 West Street. Mill Street Food and Wine, 162 Mill Street. Vadco Bargain Store, on the corner of Ball Haye Road and Rosebank Street. McColl’s, Abbotts Road. Premier, Queens Drive. Spar Petrol Station, Ashbourne Road. Smithfield News, The Smithfield Centre. Wallbridge Store, Wallbridge Precinct. Ladderedge News, Ladderedge. Endon Store, 35-37 Station Road. Co-op, Main Road, Endon. Wetley Rocks Petrol Station.