THE SILENCE was palpable, lifted only by a breeze buffeting the rugged moorland grasses on these high sierras of remembrance.
Bright sunshine doused the simple red poppies worn by the hundreds who turned out for the Royal British Legion Service of Dedication and Remembrance at Pots and Pans.
They stood shoulder to shoulder in silent solidarity with proud, faces united in tribute to their loved ones, friends and colleagues who had lost their lives in previous wars.
The plaintiff rendition of the Last Post by lone cornet player Nicola Bolger echoed around the hills as young members of Saddleworth Air Training Corps flanked by Oldham Mountain Rescue Team joined in The Reveille, accompanied by the 16-strong Dobcross Brass Monkeys, an adult training band, conducted by Phil Cumberworth.
Howard Sutcliffe, associate priest of The Saddleworth Team, lead the congregation in prayers and hymns and Joe Hughes, of the Saddleworth branch of the Royal British Legion, laid the wreath supported by Stanley Cowburn, the branch treasurer.
Earlier, Saddleworth businessman and leading Rotarian Malcolm Hill flew over the scene in his light aircraft, accompanied by Jeff Hine, dropping a delicate stream of poppies.
Elsewhere, wreathes were laid at the War Memorial in St Chad’s Gardens inUppermill during a service with the Royal British Legion.
The garlands were presented on behalf of The Rotary Club of Saddleworth, The Royal British legion, Saddleworth Parish Council, MP Debbie Abrahams and theSaddleworth and lees Labour Party, 2200 Saddleworth detached flight air training corps, Scouts and St John’s Ambulance Saddleworth, along with individual crosses.
Two-minute silences were held by congregations across the community as aspart of their Sunday services and Remembrance Dinner and Concerts were held across Saddleworth in honour of the fallen.
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