MOTORCYCLISTS are gearing up for a ride of respect to remember those who served in the Falklands and make sure a permanent memorial is created in Brecon.
To commemorate the 35th anniversary of the end of the Falklands War and pay homage to those from Brecon who were involved in the conflict, three friends are organising a ride on June 18.
Jules and Drew Hore from Brecon paid a tribute to those who died in the conflict last year by taking part in the Wreath of Respect motorbike run. Jules said: "A metal wreath which held a horseshoe from the horses that pulled gun carriages in the First World War toured the UK. When the wreath came to Brecon, we had the honour of carrying it on our trike to Cardiff."
This year the couple, with the support of Wreath of Respect organiser Dougie Bancroft, had hoped to enlist 258 bikers to each carry a poppy cross bearing the name of a British life lost in the conflict from Brecon to the South Atlantic Memorial in Cardiff. But once a post was put out online the event caught the imagination of about 600 bikers who now say they want to take part.
Jules said: "Brecon, as a garrison town, has a long association with the armed forces and 5 Brigade, which included
the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, who spent two weeks on exercise at Sennybridge
in April 1982, in preparation for deployment to the South Atlantic. The fate of too many young Welsh Guardsmen in the conflict
is now well known and yet Brecon does not have a memorial to the Falklands War."
Following this show of support, money has been raised to create a permanent reminder in Brecon to those who served and lost their lives in the conflict with Argentina. After Powys planners gave the go-ahead, fundraisers have commissioned a bench to be designed portraying scenes from the Falklands and are working with local firms to develop a fitting memorial to the soldiers at Peace Gardens in the town.
"The stone is coming from the Hansons quarry in Builth and will feature a plaque handcrafted from Welsh slate by Shaz of Cut it out Crafts," said Jules. "Dixie’s Corner are supporting us by creating t-shirts to sell as fundraisers and Homebase are providing the plants and materials needed to tidy up and replant the area of the garden where the bench and stone will be sited."
Plans are afoot to create wristbands and patches to sell and raise money for the memorials. "We have estimated that we will need about £2,000 for everything," said Jules. "If there is anything left after the bench is complete it will be shared between the South Atlantic Medal Association and the Royal British Legion."
Fellow petrol heads can join the motorcycle/trike ride on June 18 and a Just Giving page has been set up. Jules added: "Any businesses or public bodies who can help can call me on 07973 748195. We would love to see as many people as possible to wave us off at 11am on June 18."