Bert Bissell friendship stone revealed in Dudley park

The memorial stone was unveiled in Buffery Park on Saturday in memory of Bert Bissell MBE who led a pilgrimage party from his bible class to the summit of Ben Nevis on VJ Day in 1945.

The stone had stood in Vicar Street for many years but has recently undergone a refurbishment, and was unveiled in its new home by the Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Alan Taylor.

Organised by the Bert Bissell Memorial Society and Friends of Buffery Park, it will now sit alongside a new information board giving details of Bert's life and achievements.

The unveiling event was attended by family and friend – including Bert's nephew, local dignitaries and community groups.

Bert Bissell was born in Dudley in 1902. He lived at Selborne Road and founded the Young Men's Bible Class, in Vicar Street.

He was a probation officer and climbed Ben Nevis on VJ Day in 1945 and many times afterwards, constructing a Peace Cairn at its summit.

He established civic links between Dudley and Fort William, was awarded the Freemanship of both Dudley and Lochaber and when he passed away in 1998, aged 96, he was buried in Glen Nevis at the foot of his beloved 'Ben' which he had climbed an astonishing 107 times.

He was also recognised internationally for his work in being awarded the World Methodist Peace Prize.

In February 2017, the Bert Bissell Memorial Soicety was formed with Councillor Steve Waltho MBE as its founder chairman.

He said: "It's a huge honour to be part of this historic occasion. Bert was a legendary individual and we are committed to never forgetting the part he played in world peace.

"I wish to place on record our sincere thanks to the Friends of Buffery Park who have worked with partners to provide the stone and information board for all to enjoy."

Stephen Briscoe, chairman of the Friends of Buffery Park, said: "Years go I saw the stone and it looked in a bit of a sorry state, so we approached them to see if we could have the stone moved to Buffery Park.

The Bert Bissell Society helped us to get funding for the project.

"The event went really well and we have around 60 people in attendance who came and paid in respect. It was a really nice event to remember Bert by – I climbed Ben Nevis with him twice when I was younger."

Dudley North MP Ian Austin, who also attended the event, added: "He was a great friend of my family and I remember him well. He was a legendary figure and an inspiration to so many of us.

“It is really important that we keep the memory of Bert alive so this seems a fitting tribute to the enduring legacy of Bert’s work in the community.”

For the last five years, Ben Nevis has been climbed every year to resurrect Bert's legacy and raise thousands of pounds for various charities.

A group – including three former mayors, youngsters from the YMCA and a contingent of the Gentleman Songsters Male Voice Choir – will take part in the tradition this year on August 16.