Past, present and future

Hello everyone. It gives me great pride to see Bury playing a full part in national Armed Forces Week.

It was an honour and a privilege to be joined by members of our armed forces, veterans, their associations and the wider armed forces community to raise the flag outside the town hall.

We all know Bury has a long and proud military heritage, as the spiritual home of the Fusiliers. For generations, men and women of this borough have put their lives on the line in order to keep us safe.

Too often we take our comfort, security and democracy for granted. But we don’t have to look very far to see that this is by far the norm: just ask any of the Ukrainian people who have sought, and been granted, sanctuary here thanks to the compassion of Bury folk.

Can I draw your attention to a new exhibition at the wonderful Fusilier Museum, which explores the connection of the regiment with Bury and its people. It’s a nostalgic look at when the regiment first moved to Bury back in March 1873, right through to when Wellington Barracks closed in 1968, and beyond. It also looks at the regiment's involvement in the two World Wars and what life was really like as a Lancashire Fusilier based at Wellington Barracks.

The exhibition runs until 29th July – details here: Fusilier museum - 150 years of the regiment in Bury.

Remembering achievements and sacrifices is only one part of our commitment to the armed forces. We must look after our veterans now and in the future, and support their families too.

The council is a proud signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant, and has a wide range of support available - from employment and skills opportunities to housing, health and wellbeing. See here for more details: Armed forces personnel.

And there are many organisations across Bury, such as the CAB, who also do great work ensuring that veterans and families can access support: Citizens advice - Benefits and concessions for the armed forces veterans and their families.

Millions of us will have watched our new King, Charles III, leading the Trooping of the Colour, a parade dating back to 1760. It’s a reminder that our country, and the vital role our armed forces play in it, is about the past, present and future.