May V 2014 E VIC Newsletter T E VIP opening for centre For rent PREPARATIONS are ALL of the rooms in being finalised for the the VIC Centre have R grand opening of the VIC now been refurbished and are available for Centre in on rent. Wednesday June 25th A The training and during Armed Forces conference room has Week. been booked by N Because there is such a Care Trust large number of people we to run a mindfulness want to invite, we are holding course while the IT three sessions during the suite has been booked S day. by the Rossendale At 11.30am there will be Healthy Minds Team an official opening for VIPs by on the day. have a presence throughout to run a computerised Brigadier CMB Coles, Manager Bob Elliott said: East Lancashire and Cognitive Behavioural Commander of 42 (North “We have worked hard as an , Heywood and Therapy session. West) Brigade. organisation to bring the cen- Middleton. VIC manager Bob I He will be unveiling a tre back into full use and we “Having a permanent base said: “There are a fur- plaque inside the building are delighted that everything has provided a catalyst to ther two offices avail- N and be officially declaring the has been completed in time further extend the projects we able for rent and a VIC Centre open. for the official opening. piloted in Rossendale to be therapy room available At 1pm we will be inviting “We were very fortunate to able to offer more veterans for rent. our many partners to come be gifted such a large the chance they deserve. To “Tenants need to be and have a look around and building with the scope to return, belong and prosper charities or someone then, from 3pm, the centre further our work within the within their communities. who is working with will be open for the communi- community of East “Everyone at VIC is the armed forces C ty to tour the premises. Lancashire. looking forward to welcoming community to fit in It will also be the debut “The work of VIC has people to look around our with our ethos.” ‘gig’ for the VIC Singing developed and grown in the centre on Wednesday June Contact 01706 833180. O Group who will be performing last 18 months and we now 25th.” M Tommy on patrol M after going AWOL U A WILLOW soldier creat- were contacted through the ed by a VIC member to Facebook page Making commemorate the First Whitworth a Great Place to N World War was stolen Live by Stephen Scrivens but fortunately an eagle- who said he had seen the eyed gardener found sculpture discarded in bush- I him. es in Heywood.” Tommy was taken from Stephen, a gardener from Healey Corner in Whitworth Heywood, said: “When I been able to return it together to search for T where he had been planted saw it, it just looked like a because it means a lot to Tommy and residents have next to a First World War pile of sticks but when I people and I have a lot of been delighted that he is tank willow sculpture, both went closer I could see it time for veterans. There is back. David said: “I am just I of which were created by was a soldier. One of my so much community spirit glad he has not been David Joddrell, from . customers told me about around here.” damaged and hopefully the VIC outreach and com- the missing sculpture and I Unwittingly, the thief did willow will root again so that E munity development officer realised what it was. some good, because he the branches can grow. A Suzanne Preston said: “We “I am so happy to have brought the community big thank you to Stephen.” S www.veteransincommunities.org Twitter @VICRossendale [email protected] Vets on parade VETERANS will be fly- ing the flag at Bacup and Carnival by joining the procession and holding CUBS and Beavers from members to plant poppy see if the Cubs and Beavers a stall in Moorlands Trinity Baptist Church in seeds in the grounds of could help with work on the Park. Bacup along with the Whitworth Memorial Gardens. gardens. VIC member Simon Whitworth Horticultural Cub and Beaver leader Liz They are working towards Barlass is organising Society joined with VIC Hamilton approached VIC to their Partnership Award. events and is looking to set up an army tent complete with ham- mocks, show visitors army clothing and kit Suzanne’s new role through the ages and rations. THANKS to funding from East Lancashire the gap for The PT instructor Clinical Commissioning Group, VIC has a veterans also hopes to put some second full-time member of staff. when cele- of the carnival goers Suzanne Preston has now been appointed bration times through their paces. The outreach and community development worker. such as event is on Sunday Suzanne said: “Manager Bob Elliott takes care Easter and June 29th with a proces- of operational matters and the running of the VIC Christmas sion through the town in Centre and staff while I take care of what is leave them the morning and events going on outside. vulnerable in the park in the after- “With the outreach service I am a mentor and and without noon. am there to help those who are running the serv- support. ice achieve the projects they set out. They come At Easter, up with the ideas and I will use my contacts to veterans took part in Charity help their ideas become a reality. water sports, watched “It is a veterans to veterans programme and I football and went fishing. mentor those who are running it. Suzanne said: “In partnership with MVS we cash bid “I also provide practical support when the vet- are providing a service for those vulnerable VIC may be in line for a erans who are running our outreach services find veterans so they avoid the pitfalls of a relapse. £3,000 boost. they have difficult cases that come forward.” “Following on from our Easter activities, a Thomas Nelson, and In Suzanne was able to secure a free Social Inclusion Fund-Raising Committee has three friends at Bacup venue in Darwen Town Hall where the outreach now been established chaired by veteran Tony and service is based. Stubbs. The aim of the committee is to plan Grammar School, inter- She also works in partnership with Military social activities and fund-raise to enable these viewed VIC members as Veterans’ Service to provide activities to bridge events to take place.” part of their Personal Social and Health Education Course. Artistic honour They had to find out about a local charity, VIC artists were invited to exhibit interview trustees and work at the Association of Animal directors and research Artists display at Castle Park Art what the charity does. Gallery, Frodsham. They will then present The exhibition is on for four weeks and their findings in the hope is open to the public. VIC is hoping to hold VIC is chosen as the its own art exhibition at the venue in the charity to benefit from a near future. £3,000 boost. www.veteransincommunities.org Twitter @VICRossendale [email protected] Blooming A sale held on May Day in the wonderful yard at the VIC Centre raised more than £100 back yard for the charity THE back yard at the VIC Centre has been given a makeover thanks to Veterans’ organisation Operation War Graves Dig In North West. Donna Rowe-Green, founder of the Preston- based organisation Dig-In, organised veterans to come 100 begins in earnest along to the centre in Haslingden to plant bushes OUR war graves project has memorial stones in place in and flowers and spruce up begun at Bacup Cemetery time for Remembrance in the back yard. Manager Bob Elliott said: where the graves of First November when a service “It looks a whole lot better World War heroes are being will be held. VIC is also working with and we are very grateful to located and properly Donna and Dig-In for all the marked. primary and secondary school pupils on projects to work. They are also going to Operation War Graves 100 be maintaining the area in has been backed by the commemorate the First World War these include the future.” Heritage Lottery Fund and will There are plans to intro- see veterans and Lancashire planting poppy seeds, cre- ating a calendar of artwork duce a greenhouse and Community Payback scheme workshop shed in the yard. working in the cemeteries. and building stone cairns. For VIC outreach worker Steve said: “My great Steve Butterworth there is a uncle was remembered in a special poignancy to the project memorial stone in the former as his great uncle Enoch died in Thorn Wesleyan Chapel on Poignant Ypres in 1917. Alma Street in Bacup. He said: “We know of 120 Unfortunately the memorial graves that are in the cemetery stone has since been removed. painting and we have had meetings with “I am sure my uncle is not the only one of Bacup’s forgot- Rossendale Council to discuss APAINTING of a First ten sons.” the work that we are doing. The World War soldier killed in However Steve is ensuring council has also provided a action has been presented his uncle, along with many oth- detailed map to help with to his relative. ers, will be remembered in a locating the graves. VIC arts and crafts co- time capsule. “We have had new plaques ordinator Darren Horsnell Cemetery, Belgium. He This will be buried in the made and we will be installing a presented the painting of was killed along with six cemetery with instructions for it concrete plinth for these to be Enoch Butterworth to his comrades as part of a work to be dug up in 100 years time placed on. great nephew David party. A further 17 were A letter appealing for food “We will also be planting pop- Butterworth of Stacksteads. wounded at the Swan parcels for the forces from pies on the graves of those who VIC outreach officer and Chateau 3rd Battle of Grove Mill in Bacup in 1915 is fell. David’s cousin Steve paint- Ypres. also to be included in the “We want people to be aware ed the portrait from an old VIC War Graves 100 capsule along with replica of the work that we will be carry- sepia army photograph. project officer Peter newspapers from the period. ing out in Bacup Cemetery for Enoch served with 8th Webster has been VIC has been helped with the next six months and we will Battalion Border Regiment presented with a solid silver research by Steve’s cousin be putting signs on the ceme- and died aged just 25. commemorative First World David Butterworth, from tery gates and notices at the He was killed in action War coin and has Stacksteads, and Vivien Pascoe library so people understand on July 13th 1917 and laid dedicated it to the memory from , whose relative Fred what we are doing.” to rest at Battery Corner of Enoch. It is hoped to have all the Ridings is buried in Bacup. www.veteransincommunities.org Twitter @VICRossendale [email protected] What’s On and Where ROSSENDALE VIC update VIC Outreach Services VIC Centre, Bury Road, Haslingden, MONDAY-FRIDAY BB4 5PL. NEXT month we look 11am-1pm forward to showing you VIC Centre, Bury Road, Haslingden, VIC Art Group and drop-in round our fantastic new BB4 5PL. FRIDAY centre, but even before the MONDAY 11am-3pm official opening there is 10-12 noon VIC Centre, Bury Road, Haslingden, loads going on. Bacup Library, St James Square, Bacup, BB4 5PL. We have an essential OL13 9AH public health course starting Walking Group next month led by Kerry Place from Lancashire VIC Singing Group THURSDAY Health Improvement THURSDAY Walks are arranged on the 2nd and 4th Service, part of Lancashire 6.30-8.30pm Thursday, weather permitting. Care Trust. There will be a series of HEYWOOD health checks held at the VIC Outreach Service 3pm-4pm VIC Centre in September. WEDNESDAY Heywood Sports Village, West Starkey Street, We are also working in Buckley Hall Prison in 11am-2.30pm Heywood, OL10 4TW. Rochdale holding health Heywood Sports Village, West Starkey Street, chats veteran to veteran. Heywood, OL10 4TW. Walks will be held fortnightly on Thursdays These are both with combined with the Rossendale walking group. Badminton prisoners and staff. VIC will soon be very WITH DARWEN visible working in Bacup VIC Outreach Service 10am-1pm Cemetery on the Operation TUESDAY Darwen Town Hall, Croft Street, Darwen, War Graves 100 project and BB3 1BQ. we want to reassure all PENDLE families who have loved ones in the cemetery that VIC Outreach Service 10am-1pm the work will be carried out WEDNESDAY Ace Centre, Cross Street, Nelson, BB9 7NN. to the highest of standards and with the utmost respect Combat Stress Helpline for all who have been laid to 0800 138 1619 rest in the cemetery. Contacts PCT Military Veterans Service If anyone has information, 0161 253 6638 memorabilia, photographs or VIC – 01706 833180 The Royal British Legion letters from the First World Manager Bob Elliott 08457 725 725 War that they would like to [email protected] Rossendale Citizens’ Advice Bureau see added to the time cap- sule that will be buried in the 07961 554 006 0844 499 4121 (from a landline) 0300 456 2552 (from a mobile) grounds of the cemetery Outreach and Community Development The Samaritans please can they contact VIC Worker Suzanne Preston 01706 830999 on 01706 833180. All items [email protected] Mental Health Helpline will be copied with the origi- nals returned to the owner. Outreach Worker Steve Butterworth 0500 639000 Monday to Friday 7pm - 11pm In summer we should [email protected] Saturday & Sunday 12 noon to 12 midnight have poppies blooming all Royal Air Forces Association Arts and Crafts Co-ordinator Darren Horsnell over Rossendale as we 01772 426930 [email protected] have worked with school East Lancashire Single Point of Access War Graves Project Co-ordinator Peter Webster children and uniformed via GP or self-referral groups to plant seeds all [email protected] 01282 657116 over the Valley. We will VIC supported by: never forget.

East Lancashire www.facebook.com Clinical Commissioning Group Supported by NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale VIC Veterans In Communities Clinical Commissioning Group's social investment fund VIC News is produced by: Catherine Smyth Media. 01706 877150/ 07903 997375 www.catherinesmyth.co.uk