Mayor Duckworth opens café for veterans in Heywood

Mayor and Mayoress Ian and Christine Duckworth meet Second World War veteran Lewis Banham, 94, at The Sandbag Cafe

Mayor Ian Duckworth, a former Royal Corps of Signals soldier, officially opened a new veteran’s drop-in, The Sandbag Café, in Heywood.

Many veterans attended the opening of the cafe, based in Sandon House, Taylor Street and run by a veterans’ charity.

Representatives from SSAFA, RBL, Groundworks, the Poppy Factory, Heywood Veterans Association, Lancashire Veterans’ Association, Pat O’Reilly’s Living History Museum, Angie’s Angels and Rochdale Councils Armed Forces Support Worker Caen Matthews also attended.

Veterans In Communities (VIC) Project Worker Liz Davies, a former RAF Medic and former police officer from Rochdale, said: “For me, the highlight of the day was that two local veterans who rarely go out due to ill health actually came to the event and said they can’t wait to come again next week.

“While it was fantastic to have almost 50 people attend, I am more thrilled that we have already had a positive impact on these two people’s lives. Fingers crossed we can do the same for lots more lonely and isolated veterans.

“So many people saw the benefits this would bring to veterans in and around Heywood; they were more than happy to pitch in and do what they could to help me bring it into fruition."

Park Cakes donated a selection of cakes for the event - some of the left over cake was distributed to the homeless by Sue Coates and the ladies at Sandon House.

The café is open on Tuesdays from 10.00am to noon with a drop-in session for advice and guidance in the last hour.

For more information contact Liz:

lizdavies@vic.org.uk