Ex-servicemen and dignitaries gathered over the weekend to celebrate a veterans breakfast club that has brought them together for the last year.
The Slaterfield Veterans and Residents Association have been running regular breakfast clubs at Heywood Young People’s Centre in Great Lever over recent months.
On Saturday, they were joined by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester Diane Hawkins and other special guests to celebrate their work.
Chairman Simon Skirving said: “I’m really proud to have all these people here and it’s a real privilege to represent these guys who come regularly to the club.”
He added: “We’ve got loads more events planned, we’ve got a Christmas party planned and we’re going to be here every Saturday carrying on what we’re doing.”
The group is part of a network of similar veterans’ breakfast clubs that operates all around the country.
The Bolton group meets every Saturday at 10am at the Heywood Young People’s Centre at Heywood Park off Lever Street and High Street in Great Lever.
Last Saturday’s special event was also attended by Westhoughton Town Mayor Cllr Neil Maher.
He said: “I’m a veteran myself so I do value such events and the service that people do.
“This event here is run by veterans, they set it up themselves and Simon’s worked very hard in making this happen.”
He added: “I’ve talked to the veterans today around the table, seen the comradeship and heard the stories that people have.”
The groups has previously hosted special events like a D-Day anniversary barbecue but the most recent gathering saw some of their highest profile guests yet.
Bolton South and Walkden MP Yasmin Qureshi said: “It was great to see Andy Burnham, the Lord Lieutenant and all the local councillors here to meet the veterans.
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“Simon does such a great job and it's great being able to be here and see it for myself.”
The group is now planning further events for the months ahead and hopes to go from strength to strength.
Bolton Council leader Cllr Nick Peel said: “The fact that the Lord Lieutenant and the Mayor of Greater Manchester is here shows just how important groups like these are to the community and we wish them every success.”
Anyone interested in getting involved can email afvbcb@gmail.com.
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