Hi 

Wheels on the Western Front 2014 Centenary Cycle Ride

On 11 November 2013, the Great War ended 95 years ago . In 1989, when I worked for the Youth Service I took a party of school kids to France and we marked Remembrance Day, by laying wreaths at a cemetery in Northern France.  

The end of the Great War was meant to be a war to end to all wars, 95 years on war and conflict still happens in many corners of our world.

Next year I'm cycling the 'Western Front'   with riders supporting the Soldiers Charity. Once on mainland Europe we will follow the line of the Western Front as closely as possible as far as Peronne, on the Somme, before turning south to Compiegne.   We are hoping to raise as much money as possible for those surviving soldiers from the Second World War and Soldiers injured or experiencing difficulties in their own lives as a result of modern day conflicts across the world.

My picture above is my middle grandson putting down his first poppy at the Cenotaph in Accrington.  Accrington, like most mill towns, had battalions of 'pals' lost in the trenches.

I've attended the service at Salford Cenotaph for about 40 years with my family.  Numbers attending have grown year on year, although our own group is down to about five, with our parents and some of the older attendees not being around anymore. I am proud to say that I still follow this tradition and am proud that my family do also.

The Great War is just a distant memory and in the minds of some not even a thought.  I think we have to remember to understand.  If you remember then you understand, please donate on my just giving page.

Mal

 

 

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