This evening (Thursday 8th May) dignitaries and members of the public came together in the armed forces memorial garden situated next to Salford Civic Centre in Swinton, standing side by side in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the ending of hostilities which had brought years of conflict as war raged across Europe and the rest of the world.
Following speeches by the Ceremonial Mayor, Tanya Burch, and members of his majesty’s armed forces, beacons were lit within the sunken garden area and a beautiful yet poignant pyrotechnics display supplied by Walk The Plank, was set alight on the ground spelling out the letters of the world PEACE. The flicker of the flames bathed the names on the plaques which adorn the walls of the memorial garden in an ethereal glow. This was all set to a moving soundtrack of spoken voices created by a local artist featuring people of Salford’s reflections on peace. The display and audio would continue for 80 minutes, representing each year of the war, to allow the people gathered to reflect on the sacrifices given by so many for the freedoms we have today.
In attendance alongside members of the public were a number veterans, local councillors as well as both Michael Wheeler MP and Rebecca Long Bailey MP both of whom stood with the crowds as the event unfolded.
As I stood with camera in hand I was moved as I witnessed tears run down veterans faces as well as those surviving family members who turned out to represent those who were lost to the senseless war which stole the (more often than not) young lives of so many.
Salford and all those who call it home, never fail to honour our fallen and currently serving heroes, be that on a cold November morning or a moonlit evening in May. Our armed forces are honoured year round, with events like Armed Forces Day and Remembrance Sunday services across the city, and once again this evening I witnessed the best of Salford in those who came out to pay their respects. Our local council once again went that extra mile to honour those brave souls who left to fight for freedom against the far right tyranny of Nazism, in doing so sacrificing their tomorrows for our today.
Lest we forget.
