Mayor Ian Duckworth honoured guest at Sapperfest

Mayor Ian Duckworth and Mayoress Christine Duckworth with veteran Mark 'Monkeytoes' Dunn at Sapperfest 2017

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Mayor Ian Duckworth was an honoured guest at the annual Sapperfest Veteran’s Rehabilitation workshop weekend at Collop Gate Farm in Heywood.

Now in its sixth year, Sapperfest gives all serving and veteran Royal Engineers the chance to catch up and reconnect with old comrades and friends around a Squadron Smoker.

Initially organised by Julian Bierne in Derby, he noticed the event had a huge therapeutic effect for veterans.

He said: “People really talk about their problems, which is helpful for the ‘Black Dog’ of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). We can provide the right response because we’ve been there. People can just be themselves and because they’re happy to be back in the family, there’s lots of hugs and crying- a lot of ‘man-love’. It can be very emotional as you’ve not seen some people in over 40 years.”

Mr Bierne added: “This year was the best yet. It was really hot and the atmosphere was great. We had a lot of new recruits from as far away as Nigeria and Afghanistan.”

He explained whilst the company he set up to manage the event, Sapperfest CIC, provides a field for the event, everyone provides their own entertainment.

Silverstone Band played on Friday with a tribute band on Saturday. Other entertainment included a homebrew contest, tug-of-war, ‘nurdles’ (a game dating back to the First World War where participants attempt to knock a can from a pole with a lump hammer), a disco, water fights and eating German food around a campfire, reminiscing.

Mr Bierne hopes to secure a long-term site for a veteran’s retreat, much like those offered across France by the French Foreign Legion. He also has plans for an American Sapperfest.

Councillor Alan McCarthy, Lead member for Armed Forces, said “Sapperfest is one of a number of festivals that take place throughout the year. Bringing veterans together in this manner helps promote camaraderie and reduce social isolation. Veterans attending the festivals come from around the world. I am proud that as a borough we can support the festivals.”