Rochdale will commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day this week with a series of events designed to honour the fallen, remember the sacrifice, and remind everyone that the council still can’t get a microphone to work outdoors.
Across Rochdale, Castleton, Middleton and Heywood, the Mayor, armed forces representatives and residents will gather for speeches, wreath-laying, and the obligatory local man who thinks it’s appropriate to wear cargo shorts to a memorial service.
On Thursday, a 9.30pm service at Rochdale Cenotaph will feature the Last Post, solemn readings, and that one bloke from the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers who insists on starting every sentence with “When I was in the army…” regardless of topic. Attendees will be given the chance to reflect, or at least stare into the middle distance and wonder why they didn’t bring a thicker coat.
Friday night in Castleton will see a beacon-lighting ceremony, symbolising the moment the guns fell silent. Organisers say the lighting will be “poignant and atmospheric”, although locals are hoping it’ll just keep the midges away long enough for the speeches to finish.
Middleton will host its memorial on Saturday morning, before handing the commemorative baton to Heywood in the afternoon. Heywood Veterans Association promises a “respectful service”, which in Heywood generally means keeping the shouting to under 90 decibels.
Mayor Cllr Janet Emsley said she was “proud” of the community for pulling together to remember the historic moment, adding that it’s one of the few occasions each year where Rochdale residents willingly stand next to each other in silence without a queue for Greggs being involved.
In a touching tribute, all services will end with the words “Lest we forget”, which is also what the council says every year about fixing the potholes on the route to the Cenotaph.
