Bolton’s only veterans club held a special gathering last week to officially unveil their new gazebo. The ribbon was cut at the Slaterfield Veterans and Residents Association event held at Heywood Young People’s Centre in Great Lever. This marks the latest step for the group that has worked long and hard to support former servicemen and their families from all across Bolton .
Chairman Simon Skirving said: “It means a lot, I can’t fault the council and our local councillors for the way they’ve supported us. “They’ve bought this gazebo, which certainly isn’t a cheap thing, and at the end of the day it really means a lot. The club provides a place for veterans to meet and talk with each other (Image: Public) “The veterans are really pleased with it and it’s a way of promoting what we’re doing.
” Mr Skirving and the association members have been meeting for several months and in June hosted a special barbecue to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Simon Skirving and Cllr Akhtar Zaman (Image: Public) It also runs a regular breakfast club which provides a place for veterans to meet each other, make friends and support each other along with various other special events. It is also open to anyone from the community who wishes to take part.
Simon Skirving with Yasmin Qureshi MP (Image: Public) The new gazebo is the latest of several plans that Mr Skirving has to take the association to the next level and Bolton Council deputy leader Cllr Akhtar Zaman was on hand.