How former mayor Steve is keeping the legacy of former Dudley mountain man Bert Bissell alive
August, 1945, and the Black Country was partying to celebrate the end of the Second World War. Rationing may have imposed some limitations, and there were, of course, moments of quiet reflection for those who were still yet to come back - and those who never would.. But the mood, overall, was nevertheless one of revelry.
For one shy, quiet probation officer, though, the occasion was much more contemplative. Bert Bissell, who had moved to Dudley from his native Yorkshire in the 1920s, was leading a group of young men from his Bible class on a hillwalking trip when the news about Japan's surrender filtered through. In response, he led the group on a climb to the top of Ben Nevis, where they built a rough 'peace cairn' out of stones to ensure the horror of war would not be forgotten.
Over the next 50 years, right up until the age of 93, Mr Bissell would lead a small party up to the peak to commemorate those who had given their life in service of their country, every VJ Day and every Remembrance Day, without fail. For the 20th anniversary, in 1965, a tradesman created a permanent memorial, to replace the hastily assembled peace cairn, which was taken to the summit by helicopter.
In1978 he led a group of members of the Gentleman Songsters choir up Ben Nevis, becoming the first choir in history to sing on its summit!
Mr Bissell died in 1998, but today the tradition is being kept alive by former mayor of Dudley Steve Waltho, who this month led a group of 27 climbers, including former students of Dudley College to the summit to celebrate this historic event.
Mr Waltho, chairman of the Bert Bissell Memorial Society, also led the party to place a wreath on Mr Bissell's grave, in the shadow of the great mountain.
Bert Bissell was born in Goole in 1902, the son of a Methodist minister, and in the 1920s the family moved to Dudley where Bert started the Vicar Street Methodist Church Young Men's Bible Class in 1925.
"Within a couple of years there were over 300 members and famous names included Dudley's most famous football son Duncan Edwards," says Mr Waltho.
"Later on a young man by the name of Inderjit Bhogal who went on to head the Methodist movement in this country."
Mr Bissell was Dudley's first probation officer, and Mr Waltho describes him as 'a very active outdoor Christian who believed in improving young peoples lives by physical and mental achievement'.
He says: "He loved hillwalking and happened by coincidence to be in Fort William with a group of his lads on VJ Day in 1945.
"Bert climbed the Ben an incredible 107 times in the name of world peace, was appointed the MBE, World Methodist Peace Prize and the freedom of both Dudley and Fort William in his lifetime. He had peace messages sent to every high continental mountain and even beyond Earth on the Apollo mission to the Moon!"
Mr Bissell died in 1998 at the age of 96, and his final wish was to be buried in Glen Nevis cemetery at the base of his beloved mountain.
The pilgrimages to Fort William lay dormant until 2014 when then MP Ian, now Lord Austin, met with former mayors Mr Waltho and Dave Tyler to discuss rekindling the historic link between the two towns.
In 2017 the Bert Bissell Memorial Society was formed with Mr Waltho as chairman, community campaigner and former Councillor Shaz Saleem of The Saleem Foundation its vice-chairman. Having just completed the 12th annual climb a total of some 103 individuals have made 173 ascents.
Mr Waltho says: "People have joined us for many reasons including simply raising self esteem and confidence or simply wanting to scale Britain's highest peak to raise money for charity or scattering loves one's ashes on the summit - and this time a marriage proposal was made!
"Every climb has had its special moments but this historic anniversary was quite simply emotionally amazing. We wanted to celebrate with a group of young people and half of our 35-strong group was associated with Dudley College led by head of photography Phil Brooks."
The remainder were a mixture of established members and supporters, with even the coach driver from Dunwoods Travel joining the climb.
"Twenty-seven people climbed and all made it to the summit with unusually kind weather meaning that the large group all gathered together for a summit photoshoot," says Mr Waltho.
"Meanwhile in Fort William historian and Dudley Poppy Appeal organiser Rose Cook-Monk along with my wife Jayne visited the Highland Museum to exchange memorabilia since the museum has a corner dedicated to Bert."
On August 16 the party visited Lochaber Mountain Rescue, whose members had accompanied Mr Bissell on some of his later climbs.
"On the evening we paid tribute to him and placed wreaths on his grave accompanied by a Scottish piper," says Mr Waltho.
"The piper then returned with us to Fort William High Street where he led a peace procession down to Duncansburgh Church where Bert used to bring his young people and where windows from Vicar Street are installed,"
There followed an emotional memorial service where John Hutchison, chairman of trustees for the Highland Museum, gave a rendition of the Gaelic song he sang at Mr Bissell's funeral, some 27 years ago. Presentations and readings ended with closing prayers from Mr Bissell's former right-hand man, Astley Blake. Following that a social fish & chip supper was held where memories between Dudley and Fort William residents were shared.
Generous donations were made to the college group's Prostate Cancer UK fundraising effort, as well as to Lochaber Action on Disability, Lochaber Mountain Rescue and the Saleem Foundation.
"I think Bert would have been proud," says Mr Waltho.
The Vicar Street Bible Class continued under the leadership of Astley Blake for another 24 years,, even surviving the closure of Vicar Street church. Sadly, the coronavirus took its toll, and following lockdown the handful of remaining members, now located at Dixons Green Methodist Church, decided to call it a day after 97 years.
Mr Blake, now in his 80s, and Mr Waltho, are members of The Gentlemen Songsters Male Voice Choir of whom Mr Bissell was president for many years. To mark the 100th anniversary of the Bible Class, the choir will hold a celebratory concert at Dixons Green on September 14, and hope that Inderjit Bhogal - former leader of Britain's Methodist movement - will be in attendance. For further information contact Steve Waltho by email at stevewaltho@hotmail.co.uk
*Do you have any memories of photographs of Bert Bissell's climbs up Ben Nevis? Telephone Mark Andrews on 01952 421535 or email mark.andrews@mnamedia.co.uk
