Honouring those who have served

Hello everyone. This is always an incredibly moving time of the year, when we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice to keep us free.

Many of you will have taken part in the parades, services and wreath-laying ceremonies which took place across the borough to mark Remembrance Sunday.

This year there was an additional event: Bury Remembers, an evening of music and spoken word at Bury Parish Church. It included performances from Bury Fire Choir, Bury Music Service, Bury Army Cadet Force Corps of Drums, and input from Bury Youth Service.

It’s heartwarming to see so many young people involved in these remembrances, especially as the march of time gradually reduces the number of our war survivors.

It’s essential that their stories are never forgotten, and that we learn the lessons of history as we maintain a constant vigil on our liberty.

From Ramsbottom to Prestwich, Radcliffe to Tottington, Bury to Whitefield – we will remember them.

Onto happier matters, and this week we are set to honour three local people who have all given decades of service in their own ways.

The council will be asked to approve giving the Freedom of Bury to Keith and Helen Atkinson, along with former Mayor Joan Grimshaw.

Since 1885, Freedom of the Borough has been the highest award the council can bestow, and these three residents are thoroughly deserving of the honour. They are the very embodiment of our LET’S values in action – Local, Enterprising, Together and Strengths.

Keith and Helen Atkinson have provided a loving home to 28 vulnerable looked-after children and have a fostering journey that spans more than 30 years. They have taken in children, teenagers and unaccompanied minors seeking asylum, some for a few days and others for several months or years, depending on what the children needed.

Last year they became ambassadors for Foster with Bury, helping to recruit new foster carers and providing help and support.

Unsworth resident Joan Grimshaw spent her working life as a nurse, and will have given 23 years’ service as a ward councillor when she steps down next year. She was also Mayor of Bury in 2012-13, the Queen’s Jubilee year.

If council approves the plan on Wednesday, we aim to hold the ceremony for Keith, Helen and Joan in January.

Incidentally, the only organisation which enjoys Freedom of the Borough is the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. Good to remember at this time of year.