Today, Thursday 1st July, a wreath was laid at the Accrington Pals Memorial on Church Street, to commemorate the Anniversary of The Battle of the Somme.

The ceremony was attended by representatives from the Royal British Legion, Father David Arnold, Leader of the Council Cllr Miles Parkinson OBE, Mayor of Hyndburn Cllr Kath Pratt and Leader of the Opposition Cllr Marlene Haworth.

The poem, ‘A Soldiers Cemetery’ by John Williams Streets, was read by the Mayor of Hyndburn, a prayer delivered by Father David Arnold and an extract from ‘For the Fallen’ poem, by Laurence Binyon, read by Trevor Dawson of the Royal British Legion. The last post was played and a silence observed to remember all those who have fallen.

Cllr Miles Parkinson OBE, Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council said:

“With Covid-19 restrictions in place we could not commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of the Somme with a full service. Today we paid our respects on behalf of Hyndburn by laying a wreath at the Accrington Pals Memorial in a small ceremony. We commemorate all those who lost their lives, their bravery and sacrifice. We will remember them.”

The Accrington Pals are interweaved into the fabric of Hyndburn’s history. Forming a battalion to fight in the first world war, many men from the community answered Kitchener’s call to join up.

On 1 July 1916, during the fateful first day of the Battle of the Somme, they suffered severe losses and over 600 casualties. The Community back home was left shattered, and all were touched with so many losing husbands, sons, brothers, uncles, friends and neighbours.

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