27th February 2018 was the 60th Anniversary of the Winter Hill plane crash which claimed the lives of 35 residents of the Isle of Man. The crash occurred in bad weather on the slopes of Winter Hill near Horwich. Members of the Rotary Club of Horwich were amongst the first people to battle through snowdrifts to reach the crash site; subsequently they provided help and support to Manx families visiting Horwich to identify victims and be with their injured relatives as they recovered in hospital. The courage and kindness of the people of Horwich has never been forgotten and every year the two clubs remember the crash by holding a memorial service at the top of Winter Hill. An annual memorial service is also held in the Isle of Man organised by Douglas Rotary.
On the occasion of the 60th Anniversary the Rotary Club of Douglas organised for a party of 24 to travel to Horwich for the day and to attend a service at the top of Winter Hill and afterwards to view a special 60th Anniversary exhibition being staged in the Heritage Centre. Lunch was generously supplied by members of Horwich Inner Wheel. A fleet of drivers from Horwich Rotary transported the party from their arrival at Liverpool Airport. A member of the group was the last remaining survivor of the crash, Mr Norman Ennett, who made his first visit back to Winter Hill since the day of the crash. In addition to those from the Isle of Man, other relatives of crash victims travelled from as far away as Cornwall, Northern Ireland and Norway.
In the Isle of Man, Douglas Rotary organised a Service which was attended by more than 60 people, including the Island’s Lieutenant Governor. Music was provided by Douglas Town Band and members of the Ellan Vannin Pipe Band.
Extensive coverage of both events was shown on Regional Television as well as local radio and newspapers, with Rotary’s involvement being consistently acknowledged.
A perfect example of Rotary Bringing Communities Together.