Alice, originally from Scotland and one of nine children, has led a remarkable life having cheated death on several occasions. As a child she contracted polio and during the Second World War she was buried under the rubble of a matchstick factory after the German blitz on Liverpool.
At the age of 50, an accident left her confined to a wheelchair but Alice has spent many years working for charity and playing sports. After learning to swim aged 70, she became involved with the Disabled Association for Sport in Hyndburn, taking part in javelin, bowling and darts events and in 1986 she was named Britain’s most active pensioner.
It was lovely to hear Alice say that the secret of her longevity is happiness. I’d heard a lot about Alice from previous Mayors and it was an honour and a pleasure to meet her. I’m delighted we have such a remarkable woman in the Borough.
The Accrington Pals are part of Hyndburn and the commemoration of their bravery and sacrifice plays a big part in the Mayoral role, as it was the Mayor 100 years ago who gave the call to sign up. Therefore I was extremely proud to attend the Accrington Pals Memorial Service, on Sunday 22nd February, which commemorated the events 100 years ago when the Pals Battalion held their Valedictory Service at St Johns Church in Accrington. The Pals then left their hometowns on the 23rd Feb 1915, eventually journeying to the Somme region in France, where on 1st July 1916 the majority of the Battalion were injured or killed in action.
Looking ahead to next year, commemorations are planned in Accrington and France on 1st July 2016, with an early morning special Council meeting and a maroon flare at 7.30am in Accrington, to mark one hundred years since the Pals went ‘over the top’. There will also be books of honour presentations and wreaths will be laid at the Accrington Pals memorial in France to remember their bravery and sacrifice.
And finally, we’re now getting excited about my Mayoral Ball, which is set to take place in the beautifully refurbished Ballroom at Accrington Town Hall on Saturday, 25th April. Tickets are £30 and the evening is all about raising money for my Mayoral Charities: Accrington Deaf & Blind Society, East Lancashire Hospice, East Lancashire Air Ambulance and Macmillan Cancer Research, so please support us by coming along and raising lots of funds for these worthy causes. The evening starts at 7pm and features a delicious three course meal and musical entertainment. We’re also looking for sponsors for the ball and are holding a raffle so we’d love to hear from anyone who’d like to provide sponsorship or donate vouchers or raffle prizes. For more information about the Mayor’s Ball, and sponsorship or donation of vouchers or raffle prizes, please call Monica Bell at the Council on 01254 380114.
No comments:
Post a Comment