SECOND WAVE OF NORTH WEST REGION WW2 BATTLEFIELD HEROES LAND LOTTERY FUNDING

THE latest wave of North West region Second World War battlefield veterans have landed their Lottery funding from the Heroes Return scheme and are starting to embark for the places where they saw action 60 years ago.

98 veterans, spouses, widows and carers from the area are in the second wave of awards being announced today (Thursday 20 May) by the New Opportunities Fund, the biggest lottery distributor, which is enabling the awardees to make the journey back to the places they fought, where comrades and loved ones fell, and where the momentous events that brought an end to the war were mapped out for history.

Announcing the grants, Stephen Dunmore, Chief Executive of the New Opportunities Fund said:- "Today this country has an opportunity through the Heroes Return programme to acknowledge the immense debt owed to those who sacrificed so much during the war years. Enabling them to revisit the places where they risked their lives is an important testimony to the freedom for which they fought.”

Among veterans from the North West who have just been awarded lottery grants to revisit the places where they served are more than 30 veterans, together with 11 widows and 20 carers. 

There's standing room only on the Royal British Legion special departing Millom in Cumbria as veterans make for Paris and Normandy to mark the 60th anniversary of D-Day next month.

"Without the Heroes Return programme this trip would not have been possible," says Ian Jackson-Smith of the RBL branch in Millom. "We were originally going to run a raffle to raise the money to send, perhaps, a single veteran to Normandy for the D-Day commemorations.

So, we were absolutely delighted to hear about the lottery-funded Heroes Return scheme. We publicised the scheme locally and thought we might get half a dozen veterans interested, but we have a full coach now. We will be bringing 19 veterans, seven spouses and 11 carers with us. It is a wonderful opportunity to remember those who served so valiantly during the war, and to honour those who survived as well as their fallen comrades."

The veterans come mainly from the North West, though some have linked up from other parts of the UK.

Among them are former field medic Ken Barnett who now lives in Kent, and his driver of sixty years ago Eddie Wilson from Askem in Cumbria. "They haven't met for sixty years, and so it will be a wonderful reunion," says Ian Jackson-Smith.

Also travelling with the Cumbrian group are Douglas Haig-Hodge … all three of them. The eldest Douglas, who now lives in Dundee, fought at Dunkirk and in the Normandy landings. He is being accompanied on the historic visit by his son and grandson, who proudly bear the same name.

Thousands more awards are likely to be made under the scheme, which runs until the end of next year, to enable those who served abroad during the Second World War to return to battlefields, cemeteries and other places which hold special memories for them. Funding is available to veterans, together with spouses and carers, to visit sites in Europe, Africa, Asia and elsewhere where they saw service during WW2.

The grants announced today were welcomed by the Chair of COBSEO (Confederation of British Service and Ex-Service Organisations), Major General Michael Shellard CBE:- "The opportunity this funding scheme represents to revisit the very places where they were during that significant era of their lives, means a very great deal to the veterans, and indeed to all our member organisations of veterans' societies and regimental associations. The educational element of the overall Veterans Reunited programme being run by the New Opportunities Fund will give an historic opportunity for veterans to describe at first hand to young people what it was like to be involved in WWII."

The scheme will help veterans to record their experiences on these visits so that new generations can learn from them. War widows and widowers will also be eligible for remembrance visits funding.

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SUCCESSFUL SMALL BREWERIES' RELIEF SCHEME TO BE EXTENDED

AS announced in the Chancellor's Budget speech, the Small Breweries'  Relief scheme is to be extended on a tapered basis to include
breweries producing up to 60,000 hectolitres a year. This change will come into effect on 1 June 2004, the second anniversary of the introduction of the successful scheme.

John Healey, Economic Secretary and Customs Minister said:- "We designed this scheme to help the smallest breweries invest in their business and grow and, over the past two years, this scheme has
achieved this aim, proving a great success. Now, after listening to the industry, we are extending the scheme to allow small breweries to continue their growth, encouraging greater enterprise and confidence within the industry while helping to provide greater choice for beer drinkers."

Neil Chantrell, of the Coach House Brewing Co Ltd, Warrington said:- "In our case we did not get the full amount and nor will others, but with good management skills there is now light at the end of the tunnel. For the first time in ten years our heads are up and we are ready to go forward."

Currently, the scheme allows breweries producing up to 5,000 hectolitres to pay half the standard duty rate and breweries producing over 5,000 hectolitres up to 30,000 hectolitres a year to calculate the appropriate reduced duty rate using a formula that is specified in law.

The extension of the scheme introduces reduced rates of duty for beer brewed by independent breweries which produce between 30,000 and 60,000 hectolitres per year.

THE FORMBY FESTIVAL IS ON IT'S WAY!

SOUTHPORT Reporter is please to say it is part of what will be one of the best events on Merseyside in July.   The bi yearly event has grown from strength to strength over the last few years.   This year the event will take place on the 3 and 4 July and 9, 10and 11 of July on Formby Point Car Park and Sand Dunes.  

Surrounded by Sand Dunes and Pinewoods the event offers entertainment from Humphrey Lyttleton and his band, ABBA UK, Rock Bands, Gospel and more....   That's just the evenings entertainment... 

The event is aimed at all ages and tastes, so you will find something to entertain you.

By day on the 3 July Formby Village will see Romans marching and drilling around the shops, then moving on to the pinewood and the show ground where they will be based for the rest of the day and on the 10 and 11 July.  They are planning to over run the locals, so listen out for the cry of "The Romans are coming!"  

On site the Romans demonstrate fighting skills, help the adults mind the kids.... also conduct children's question and answers and some things that the Romans have planed, but we can not disclose them yet!   

Also on the 3 and 4 the show will be home to the Silcoks' Funfair.   

This is not including the fact that on all evening entertainment in the open air theatre, a licensed bar will be available as well as hot drinks!

Keep an eye on this site for more information as the count down starts...

Information can be obtained via the Southport Tourist Event Guide 2004 on page 18.  Also you can log on to the Formby Festival web page by going to:-  www.formbyfestival.org.   

You can get more information on how to get involved by ring our news line on 01704 513 569.