[Doug]

Somme. 01 July 2006

90 years on from one of the most disastrous periods in our history and possibly the last time any living member of the community affected will be able to stand shoulder to should with the generations that followed in there wake.

BBC Radio Lancashire made it sound that Hyndburn had emptied into the streets to watch the civic parade pass from the Town Hall to St James’s Church Street gardens, alas at the church no more than a few hundred people stood in the Sun to hear the service delivered by the Rector of Accrington followed by Bible readings by the worshipful the Mayor, Dr Rahman and Cllr Peter Britcliffe.

The whole thing was warm and cordial with little detraction beyond the distant murmur of traffic and the odd mobile phone going off in the back crowd.

If one can enjoy such an affair then for me it was very enjoyable. I felt a wave of gratitude for the privilege to have been there both to those who laid down their lives “my family amongst them” and to those who came together to make this Service of Commemoration happen. Thank you.