A GROUP of only seven people have been honouring fallen soldiers by maintaining war memorials and organising parades to ensure those who gave their lives aren’t forgotten.

The Hoyland Remembrance and Parade Group maintains memorials in both Hoyland and Blacker Hill, litter-picking and planting seasonal plants to ensure the areas always look their best.

However, on top of these regular duties, the group have also taken on the responsibility of organising annual parades in Hoyland featuring brass bands and marches - it is now the biggest of its kind in the borough, outside of the town centre.

Founder and parade marshal, Bob Hill, told the Chronicle: “I was president and chairman of the local Royal British Legion and tried running these parades.

“But it was very difficult to carry it out, particularly to get funding - it costs about £1,600 a year.

“So about 18 months ago I decided to start this group - we look after the war memorials and make sure the parades can still go ahead.”

Every year they also put up poppies for each of the soldiers named on the memorials, which volunteers are currently in the process of.

Coun Andy Wray, of the Rockingham ward, has nominated the team for a Proud of Barnsley award, celebrating their dedication.

“We’ll be doing a big Christmas fundraiser this year to raise money for the parade and try and increase the profile of the group,” Bob added.

“There’s only seven of us at the minute so we’re going to have to look at expanding.

“We do have a team of volunteers we can call on if we need it, but our membership is still small and there’s a family element to it.

“My wife’s involved as the secretary and my son deals with everything on Facebook.”