75th anniversary of VE Day commemorated in Norden with poignant artwork

A poignant tribute in honour of VE Day (8 May) has been painted on a wall in Norden.

Fittingly located opposite the local war memorial, the wall at Easy St Personal Training Gym has been transformed into a mural, commemorating the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day – the day then-Prime Minister of Britain Winston Churchill announced that World War Two was over.

The mural was created by Jamie Buckley, of Paintings & Murals by Jamie Buckley, at the request of Easy St’s Jamie Ford, who served in the Royal Military Police in Northern Ireland and Afghanistan, and also features Colonel Tom Moore, who won the nation’s hearts by walking 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday to raise money for the NHS.

 

 

The mural was officially unveiled in time for VE Day with social distancing measures by Jamie Buckley, Jamie Ford, ward councillor James Gartside, veteran and local businessman Harry Bell, and Paul Ellison, chairman of NEEVA, Norden Environment and Economic Village Association.

Jamie Ford said: “Hopefully people see it as a fitting tribute to the men and women of our country’s greatest asset. The military is deep routed in myself and every aspect of the business and our families, so it’s been great to see the village’s positive reaction.

“With us being just over the road from the local war memorial and getting things finished just in time for VE Day, it all came together perfectly.”

Artist Jamie Buckley said: “It was an honour to be ask to create this artwork, and I am extremely happy to see that it has touched the hearts of so many.”

 

 

Mr Bell, who served with the First Battalion XX Lancashire Fusiliers in Cyprus and Germany, said: “As a representative of the Fusilier’s Association, it gives me great pleasure to attend this ceremony which is most fitting in this climate of today. This represents 75 years of victory in Europe which will be celebrated on Friday.”

Councillor Gartside commented: “I cannot thank both Jamies enough for creating this poignant display. 

“It certainly complements our Norden War Memorial, which is situated across the road.”

Mr Ellison added: “This is just a thoughtful gesture to the village of Norden, and ties in well with the Rochdale In Bloom World War features on the In Bloom route.”