A DYNAMIC former Mayor of Dudley is inviting adventurers to join him and members of the Bert Bissell Memorial Society on another trip to Ben Nevis to commemorate the life of legendary peace campaigner.

It's been eight years since councillor and former Mayor Steve Waltho, who represents St Thomas's ward on Dudley Council, first mooted the idea of remembering Bert Bissell with a memorial trip to the summit of the UK's highest peak with Kingswinford North and Wall Heath councillor Dave Tyler, who also served as Mayor, and Lord Ian Austin who was Dudley North MP at the time.

Since then thousands of pounds has been raised for good causes by gutsy fundraisers and individuals who have joined Steve and the team on their annual pilgrimage to Ben Nevis in Fort William, Scotland, to remember Bert who scaled the mountain 107 times in his lifetime.

He and his Vicar Street Young Mens Bible Class built the foundations of a cairn on VJ Day in 1945, which became Britain's highest war memorial on the summit of Ben Nevis and cemented the twinning of Fort William with Dudley which has been rekindled by the recently formed Bert Bissell Memorial Society.

Cllr Waltho, chairman of the society, said "Eight years ago ten of us in a minibus made the first pilgrimage to Scotland in Bert's memory and the interest simply mushroomed.

"To date 63 people have made 94 ascents of Ben Nevis raising in the region of £25K for good causes.

"We've met dignitaries and locals in Fort William who remembered Bert and we always visit his grave in Glen Nevis Cemetery.

"Two years ago as a member of the Gentlemen Songsters Male Voice Choir for whom Bert was president for many years, I persuaded a contingent to arrange a wonderful celebration concert in Fort William to mark 100 years since the end of World War I and 40 years since they accompanied Bert up Ben Nevis to be the first choir in history to sing on the summit.

"There have been many brilliant achievements by individuals and some wonderful emotional personal moments and once again this year we're looking to carry on that tradition by welcoming people to join us."

The group managed to get to Scotland last year despite the Covid-19 pandemic but had to forfeit travelling up there in a previously donated National Express coach and journey instead in several cars which will again be the order of the day this year.

The group plan to leave Dudley on Thursday August 12 and return on Sunday August 15 - VJ Day.

The cost of accommodation will be around £200 and anyone interested in taking part in the trek should contact Cllr Waltho before March 15 to request further details or reserve a place. Call 07703 308463 or email at stevewaltho@hotmail.co.uk.