Street’s Jack opens Veterans’ Garden
12 June 2008
Actor Bill Tarmey – Coronation Street’s Jack Duckworth – will open a special Veterans’ Garden in Albert Square at 11am on Thursday 12 June.
The garden has been designed and created by volunteers aged 16 to 25 from the Prince's Trust to help celebrate Veterans' Day and the role of veterans in the life of the nation.
The Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Mavis Smitheman, will also be there for the opening of the garden, which forms part of the Garden Market being held in the square from Thursday until Sunday 29 June.
The design of the Veterans Garden is based on the volunteers' interpretation of what the term "veteran" means to them.
The Lord Mayor said: "Manchester is very proud of its veterans of all ages and the Veterans' Garden is just one of the ways the city is paying tribute to the men and women who have done so much for all of us by serving the nation in the Armed Forces or support services.
"I encourage Manchester people and visitors alike to come along to the Garden Market to see the great job these young people have done in creating this colourful garden.
"We also want as many veterans as possible to come forward and claim their veterans' badge, which was introduced as a symbol of veterans' service to the nation and to help everyone recognise and value them."
Veterans looking for help to apply for their badge should contact the Royal British Legion office in Manchester on 0161 831 0323.
Veterans' Day on Friday 27 June will be marked in Manchester with a special service at Manchester Cathedral, followed by a parade of more than 200 veterans to the Garden Market in Albert Square.
On Saturday 28 June, Castlefield will host a FREE outdoor celebration with live music, family entertainment, information stalls, activities and more. For more information visit http://www.manchesterlive.co.uk/
Manchester Garden Market
Manchester Garden Market will be open from Thursday (12 June) to Sunday 29 June, offering everything from flowers to inspirational garden displays.
The Garden Market will also provide a place to relax and watch the world go by with a champagne cocktail, a German beer or even a refreshing cuppa in the Tea Garden.
Market stalls will offer unusual arts and crafts, gifts, jewellery, fashions and accessories as well as food ranging from paella to a hog roast.
The market will be open 10.30am to 7pm and the beer garden will remain open until 8pm. Thirty wooden houses will be open every day selling flowers, plants and other goods from across Europe and will be supplemented by an additional 30 craft and gift traders Friday to Sunday.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Martin Hellewell, Press Office, tel: 0161 234 3729
