Ian McMullen, who is originally from Wirral, is now 84 A Wirral British Armed Forces veteran’s exploits during National Service 60 years ago will be front and centre of an innovative UK-wide new heritage project. Ian McMullen, 84, who now lives in Chester and served at Aldershot, is one of 18 former servicemen included in a National Lottery-funded project called National Service Remembered. It has been 60 years since National Service ended in the UK and the campaign, run by the not-for-profit organisation Same but Different, captures an important period of the country’s cultural history through the eyes of the men who served.
A YORK British Armed Forces veteran’s exploits during National Service 60 years ago will be front and centre of a new heritage project. David Ryan, 82, who lives in Heworth, served at Gobowen during the 1950s and is one of 18 former servicemen included in a National Lottery-funded project called National Service Remembered. It has been 60 years since National Service ended in the UK and the campaign, run by the not-for-profit organisation Same but Different, aims to capture an important period of the country’s cultural history through the eyes of the men who served. David was conscripted in the final year of National Service in 1960 and believes the project, powered by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, provides an important insight into a unique period of Britain’s past.
NHS Borders’ newest welfare officer says he is “determined to continue assisting other veterans”. The region’s health board – in partnership with the Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) – has appointed Michael Lowrey, 38, into the newly-created role of veteran welfare officer. A veteran himself, Mr Lowrey, who grew up in the north of England but now lives in Coldstream, says he wants to help people with their lives after the forces. “When I was medically discharged from the forces in 2007 it was a big change to my way of life and I had difficulty adapting back into a civilian lifestyle,” said Mr Lowrey.
A PROJECT that aims to tackle anti-social behaviour in Brampton has been given a big cash boost. Last week, Wing Commander Matt Lawrence, who runs RAF Spadeadam in Gilsland, presented £6,640 to the Green Door Project to fund an initiative which aims to prevent bad behaviour by youths in the community. The money comes from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund after the base’s ‘Community Needs Analysis’ showed that a lack of facilities for service children in the area could draw them into anti-social behaviour. The project works with Cumbria Constabulary by providing activities and resources. It aims to educate young people in alcohol and substance misuse, the development of healthy relationships and the impact of anti-social behaviour on a community.