Latest news with #WesternFrontWay
ITV News
6 days ago
- ITV News
Friends take on Western Front Way to honour old primary school's First World War heroes
ITV Granada Reports journalist Andrew Fletcher has been speaking to the cyclists preparing to take on the Western Front Way. Three childhood friends are undertaking an "epic" charity cycle challenge to visit the war graves of fallen soldiers from their old school. Colin Higham, Kevan Ball and Rob Taylor will cycle 634 miles along the route, with Russell Jones providing support, to pay their respects to 16 of the 24 former pupils who died in the First World War. Their names are etched on a remembrance stained glass window inside Rivington and Blackrod School's chapel in Horwich, near Bolton, where the friends, now aged 65, once attended. The retirees have been preparing to take on the Western Front Way - a 620 mile trail that follows the historic frontline of World War One, stretching from the Belgian coast to the Swiss border. Colin was struck by the idea after reading The Path of Peace: Walking the Western Front Way, which describes the footpath on No Man's Land - the perilous strip between opposing trenches where many soldiers lost their lives. He said: "We have done a lot of research into these boys. The last grave we're going to visit on the way is a boy whose brother also died on the Western Front and his father was the headmaster at this school. "We're hoping the children in the school now will relate to these stories and we can all learn a lesson of what happened during that terrible time." The cyclists say they are committed to ensuring that their local heroes are remembered and honoured. "This challenge is about more than just a cycle ride," said Kevan Ball, a veteran who served for four decades in the British Army. "It's a journey of remembrance, honouring the memory of local heroes and supporting vital charitable causes that continue to make a difference in our community." The entire expedition will be self-funded and all donations will be distributed between a several charitable organisations including The Royal British Legion, Children In Need and St Ann's Hospice. They will leave home on Monday, 2 June, before beginning the ride in Basel on Wednesday, 4 June.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bolton schoolfriends' epic journey to pay tribute to those who died in the Great War
Four childhood friends are undertaking an epic journey to visit the war graves of fallen soldiers from their school. Colin Higham, Kevan Ball and Rob Taylor will cycle 634 miles along the Western Front Way next month, with Russell Jones providing support. The trail follows the historic frontline of the First World War, from the French-Swiss border to the beaches of Belgium. The quartet, who will all turn 65 this year, met when they were schoolboys at Rivington and Blackrod School, and will visit the graves of 16 of the 24 young men from their old school who died during the war. Colin Higham was struck by the idea after reading The Path of Peace: Walking the Western Front Way by Anthony Seldon. He said: "I had read this book and we were all sat there saying what are we going to do now we are retiring. "I had started cycling again with a local group, and was also involved in the school again, having been to the chapel for a service and seeing the names of the fallen soldiers in the stained glass windows. The window at the Rivington and Blackrod High School Chapel (Image: Public) "So we were chatting and ended up saying why don't we walk the route, then why not cycle it. "The lads involved have stayed in touch for many years, and they said let's do it. Every few years we get together." Read more: High school pupils raise money in memory of Manchester Arena bombing victim Read more: Bolton teenager's gruelling 80-mile hike in memory of her dad who died aged just 51 Read more: Bolton boxer donates thousands from his big fight ticket commission to cancer charity They will leave home on June 2, before beginning the ride in Basel on June 4. The quartet are also raising money for three charities - the Royal British Legion, Children in Need and St Ann's Hospice. To donate, click here: The route map (Image: Public) Colin added: "I think we are looking at about 10 to 12 days, doing 60 miles a day. "We have found the fallen soldiers' graves and memorials and we intend to visit them and photograph it. "We are also going to get the children at the school involved, they will be able to track us on a daily basis and we can send photographs. "The graves are in historical PNS/JNS and we are quite excited about it." For more information on the Western Front Way, visit the Western Front Association's website: Kevan Ball said: "This challenge is about more than just a cycle ride. It's a journey of remembrance, honouring the memory of local heroes and supporting vital charitable causes that continue to make a difference in our community." Vicki Walmsley, Headmistress at Rivington and Blackrod High School, said: 'I am proud to support these ex-pupils undertaking this phenomenal cycle challenge, demonstrating the same courage and resilience as the brave Rivingtonians who made the ultimate sacrifice in WW1. "The selfless efforts these lads are making, for the benefit of great causes, demonstrates the values that we have always aspired to at Rivington and Blackrod School for more than a hundred years and continue to strive for today.'
