WHALLEY AND BILLINGTON ROYAL LEGION USE PICKWICK NIGHT DONATIONS

Post date: Nov 27, 2012 10:19:33 AM

The Whalley and Billington branch of the Royal British Legion was formed on the 23rd September 1921. Each year the local branch of the Royal Legion host Remembrance Day tributes and earlier this year they received a £500 donation from the Whalley Pickwick committee to assist in the hosting of the 2012 remembrance parades.

The streets fell silent in Whalley and Billington on Sunday 11^th November, as residents and uniformed organisations turned out for Remembrance Day services. On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month locals joined in the national Act of Remembrance to honour the memory of those who had died in conflicts past and present across the world.

Ernie Whiteoak from the Whalley and Billington Royal Legions thanked the Pickwick Committee for the donation saying “Money was needed along with other donations to cover the cost of Remembrance Day for Whalley and Billington, providing a full day of tributes and parades. This is to make sure that the past sacrifice of local people which is still going on today is kept alive particular young people who come to the services with all the various youth groups”.

The Whalley Pickwick Committee where delighted to assist in the 2012 remembrance services, using funds raised at Pickwick Night in 2011.The Committee chairman Neil Martin says “We appreciate the amount of work that goes into arranging events such as Remembrance Day in Whalley and Billington. Also the cost of arranging such activities can be significant so using the funds raised on Pickwick Night in 2011, we have helped the local Royal Legion in planning for the recent remembrances on the 11^th November”.

The Whalley Pickwick Committee is a voluntary run organisation, who arranges and hosts the Famous Pickwick Night Festivities. Any profit made on the night and other various fundraising activities are put back into the local community, through good causes and local good needs.

The Whalley branch of the Royal British Legion are seeking people to become members. New members who have not served in the services are just as welcome as ex-service personnel. If you can assist the branch in any way, even if it is only with your presence, especially at Remembrance time, please come along. Meetings are held at The Dog Inn, Whalley. For further information please telephone Norman Whitham, Hon. Secretary on 01254 246481.