Our forces family by Abigayle Doe
At Allegro Optical opticians in Meltham, we always offer a 25% discount to all armed forces and blue light personnel. However, during the month of November, we are also donating £5.00 from every spectacle sale to the Royal British Legion. Allegro Optical Opticians is a family run business based in Meltham, near Huddersfield and Holmfirth. Our family has a strong military and blue light tradition with at least four generations serving in the forces.
This strong connection allows us to acknowledge and understand the sacrifices made by past and present serving personnel. We feel that those who give so much to protect so many deserve recognition.
Not just November
While November is a traditional time to remember them and honour those who have fallen. We feel that their sacrifices and service deserves recognition throughout the year. For this reason, we always offer this discount to all armed forces and blue light personnel.
Our Managing Director Stephen Tighe served in the 5th Royal Inniskillen Dragoon Guards as a military bandsman and medic. One of the youngest members of our family, my little brother is currently serving in the armed forces as a Royal Engineer, my brother Zac, who is our Lab Manager served in Iraq and my Uncle is a Police Officer. The dedication and commitment of service families are always very much in our minds.
A very military family
While writing this article I looked back at the previous generations of our family and found myself reflecting on my Grandparents and Great-Grandparents service. Both my Grandpa and my Grandfather served in the Army, with my Grandfather serving all over the world as a Warrant Officer in the REME.
My Great-Grandfather and Grandmother served in the Royal Navy and had many a tale to tell. Stephen’s father served in the Gordon Highlanders and his Grandfather was an Irish Guardsman.
My uncle Leonard Pearn is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial Roll of Honour for World War One. Uncle Leonard joined the Royal Navy and served aboard H.M.S. Monmouth. He died on 1st November 1914, one of 738 known casualties from the Battle of Coronel. His age at his death was recorded as just 19, although he lied about his date of birth and was actually only 17 years of age when he passed.
Having grown up surrounded by all that is military, I did consider at one time joining the Royal Navy myself and have many happy memories of my time spent in my youth as a Sea-Cadet. The remembrance day celebrations have always been important to us all, with Stephen, Sheryl and I all taking part in the parades. However, I chose a career in Optics, but that doesn’t mean I turned my back on the forces. That would be impossible when I am surrounded by friends and family who serve or have served nearly every day.
Military bands
Stephen still has lots of old army friends who are musicians, many of them have vision-related issues and have struggled to find spectacle lenses to fit their needs. At Allegro Optical opticians we also specialise in helping musicians, be they professional, amateur or military musicians, who face challenges seeing their music. Due to our specialism, we are ideally placed to assist, musicians and bandsman, but we also help non-musical clients. We have an understanding of the physical aspects of the roles performed by all armed forces and blue light personnel, so are able to correct their vision issues with ease.
Allegro Optical helps service families old and new
So if you are having problems with your vision, or if you are a member of the armed forces and blue light personnel and you are looking for an optician who understands your needs give us a call in Greenfield on 01457 353100 or in Meltham on 01484 907090. Your purchase not only saves you money it will help a very good cause and add to the hopefully sizable donation we will make to The Royal British Legion.
Allegro optical, 1-3 Station street, Meltham, Holmfirth, HD9 5NX
Allegro Optical, Unit 1 The Greenfield Centre, Wellington Road, Greenfield, OL3 7AJ
