Councillors bang the drum for local veterans' group

Article date: 26 February 2025

Located in the Richard Evans building on West End Road, the North West Veterans Corps of Drums St Helens Branch has been running for the past three years. What began with two members has since expanded to around a dozen active participants who meet up to play and chat over a brew - with the group also featuring at St Helens Borough Council's Armed Forces Day event in Victoria Park last year.

The branch was founded by Derek Johnson, a former drummer in the British Army, who initially sought a space to play his regimental drum, gifted to him by his wife. With the group now fairy well established, The Corps of Drums committee invited Council Leader, Anthony Burns; the council's Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Lynn Clarke and Blackbrook ward councillor, Paul McQuade along to a session where they were given the chance to try their hand at playing a military drum and hear how the group has transformed lives, with one late veteran in particular with PTSD issues given the confidence to leave his home for the first time in three-years to attend sessions.

Commenting on his visit, Councillor Burns said: "As Council Leader and a local ward councillor for the area, it was a great honour to visit the North West Veterans Corps of Drums and see the incredible work they're doing. It's inspiring to see such a dedicated group that not only keeps military traditions alive but also fosters a strong sense of community and support for veterans."

Councillor Lynn Clarke, who served as Mayor of St Helens Borough in 2023-24, also shared her support for the group. During her mayoral year, Councillor Clarke introduced the 'Mayor's Cadet' role, which allows a local young person attending a cadet programme to accompany the mayor to civic events.

Councillor Clarke added: "It's always an honour to visit with our local veterans whose dedication and sacrifices deserve our utmost respect - we're very much looking forward to taking this relationship forward.

"As the council's Armed Forces Champion, I am committed to ensuring that we provide the necessary support and resources to those who have served our country which is evident through our commitment to signing the Armed Forces Covenant towards the end of last year."

The North West Veterans Corps of Drums meet for weekly practice sessions on Monday evenings from 7:00pm-9:00pm at Richard Evans Building, West End Road, Haydock, WA11 0AH.

For more information on the support available to the Armed Forces community in St Helens Borough, visit: www.sthelens.gov.uk/armedforces