Newton and District Veterans are an active community of ex-armed forces personnel and their families, who get involved in lots of local events and support good causes all year round.
They’re always on the lookout for new members to join their ranks, offering a chance to keep alive the spirit of comradeship that was enjoyed whilst serving; knowing that you are making likeminded friends and joining a brilliant community of people who want to make a positive difference.
So, we asked Chris Scarisbrick, Secretary of Newton and District Veterans, to let us know a little bit more about the group.
Who are the Veterans and what do they do?
“We are ex armed forces going back many years and of varying ages.
We formed six years ago, after Remembrance Day, when we would meet once a year, so we decided to form a little group to gather and reminisce.
Since then we have grown while consistently retaining our independence. We support the Royal British Legion and other service charities, but we are not part of them.
We decided to have no ranks, no rigid structure, just ex forces wishing to keep alive the comradeship and friendships formed during service.
Our aims have expanded, we are committed to making this town a better place and actively engage with youth organisations, cadet forces, and are starting to engage with schools and pupils to show the diversity in our backgrounds and roles of the armed forces away from the perceptions of war-fighting. Our collective experiences of humanitarian work, disaster relief etc surprise many people.
We have supported a number of charities during “Bike Fest” events, bringing hundreds of motorbikes from a wide range of enthusiasts to organisations like Armed Forces Bikers, the ones who raise funds for charities and sadly escort the fallen on repatriation, Blood Bikers, the volunteers who do vital organ and blood transportation runs, and Christian Bikers.
We have raised money for all of those, and Air Ambulance, Reverse Rett and many other worthy causes. We have started to visit care homes to speak with those former servicemen and women resident in them, and the smiles and memories those visits result in are heartwarming and humbling.
We provide honour guards with Standards flying to ex servicemen and women who pass, making their last march off parade a solemn and dignified event to cement the pride in their service for the families, and mark our thanks for their service.
We have no political affiliation. We do not get involved in anything other than making this a good town to live in and are proud to embrace diversity and welcome all those who wish to involve themselves to whatever degree suits them.”
Who can join?
“Ex Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force, Royal Fleet Auxiliary, reserve forces, Merchant Navy. If you have served the colours, we welcome you. If you have family members who maybe think those days are gone, tell them of us.
We support each other, and our families. We have events, days out, engage in all sorts of local happenings. We have parades to mark significant or historical happenings, often followed by a few drinks at a local hostelry.
We welcome those who wish to try us, no commitment or pressures. You don’t even have to live in Newton. If you can get here by foot, bus, car, train or bike then pop along. We are “Newton and District” after all.”