The 2022 Ellen Strange commemoration event on Holcombe Moor to remember all domestic violence victims

The 2022 Ellen Strange commemoration event to remember all domestic violence victims On Holcombe Moor in Lancashire, the world's oldest domestic violence memorial site is inspiring the current generation of campaigners, and survivors of domestic violence, to raise awareness, garner support, and offer help to those in dire need. Sunday 10 July 10.30am meet at Emmanuel Holcombe Church BL8 4NB at 10.30am, bring boots as the Ellen Strange cairn is up on the moors around 45 minutes away Main speakers Jill Caldwell - Endeavour Domestic Abuse Services Chief Executive Gemma Aitchison – Yes Matters Sara Trayers - National Recruitment Officer - Townswomen's Guilds Martin McMulkin – Unite NW, Bolton Trades Council & councillor Details:- Martin McMulkin 07918 839327 mmcmulkin@hotmail.com Mark Metcalf 07392 852561 metcalfmc@outlook.com 17-minute documentary film:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPMaOEroepU The annual Ellen Strange memorial event that Unite NW and the Endeavour Project in Bolton have promoted since 2015 is unique as it involves a fair old Sunday morning hike up to a pile of stones on a remote moor outside Ramsbottom, Lancashire. The desire of walkers though to highlight the ongoing need to organise against a crime that effects all parts of society has nevertheless never failed to dampen people’s enthusiasm to assemble at what is recognised as the oldest domestic violence (DV) commemoration site in the world. Ellen Strange was murdered by her husband, John Broadley, on Holcombe Moor on 26 January 1761 and following which her family and/or local people raised a pile of stones in her memory. This was called “Ellen Strange” on the first Ordnance Survey map in 1844-47. However, over time the true story became clouded in mystery until, in 1989, local author John Simpson published the results of his exhaustive research into events over 200 years earlier. The Unite Education Rebel Road project catalogues trade union and labour movement heroes who are publicly commemorated in the form of a plaque. When Bolton Trades Union Council were informed about the Ellen Strange story, they obtained the backing of the Unite NW regional committee. £2000 was raised to republish Simpson’s book. In 2015 an annual event to remember Ellen Strange and domestic violence victims in the previous 12 months was held at the cairn, which is around 45 minutes away from Emmanuel Holcombe Church. Each walker, which includes DV survivors, lays a stone and reads out the case studies of people killed because of domestic violence. It can be a tearful occasion. 38% of all violent crime is DV related. A wreath is laid and a two-minute period of silence is held. There is a blessing by a reader from Emanuel Church, Holcombe, where free and much needed refreshments are available on the walk’s return. Everyone who has attended over the years has felt it has been a worthwhile morning.