YOUNG AND old gathered across the community to pay their respects at services and events over Remembrance Weekend.
At Pots and Pans cenotaph, several thousand locals came together for the annual Royal British Legion Service of Dedication and Remembrance.
Rev Godfrey Adams, assistance curate of the Saddleworth CE Team and chaplain to 2200 squadron Saddleworth Air Cadets, took the service and complimented families who had brought youngsters.
Stanley Cowburn, treasurer of the Saddleworth branch of the Royal British Legion, laid the first wreath, followed by tributes from the Saddleworth Parish Council, Rotary Club of Saddleworth, Sadleworth Round Table and a host of local volunteer organisations.
The Last Post was played by Nicola Bolger of Dobcross Brass Monkeys, conducted by Phil Cumberworth.
And then everyone gazed skywards as a tiny Piper Arrow aircraft circled over them, piloted by Malcolm Hill, 81 accompanied by Jeff Hine, and scattered a delicate stream of poppies across the moors.
Elsewhere, services were held at churches across the community to commemorate the centenary of the First World War and also embrace all conflicts right up to present day.
And around 50 residents were present at the Annual Service of Remembrance at Austerlands War Memorial.
Wreaths were laid by Barry Scott, a veteran from the East Lancashire Regiment, Joan Sykes of the Scouthead and Austerlands Community Group, David Needham Mayor of Austerlands, and Cllr Derek Heffernan and many crosses were placed.
John Moncur, ex-RAF read the Dedication, Sue Smith read Ammon Wrigley’s ‘Lads who Fought the Good Fight’, and local Cornet player Vicky Illingworth played the ‘Last Post’ and ‘Reveille’.
Meanwhile, the Saddleworth Branch of the Royal British Legion gathered at Diggle Band Club for their annual Remembrance Dinner and reunion, with entertainment from Diggle Band.
And at Delph Band Club, around 70 people attended a Remembrance Dinner in aid of the Royal British Legion with a four-course meal, tributes and entertainment from local favourites including Gilbert Symes.
An ‘Evening of Nostalgia’ concert was held at St Mary’s Church Greenfield while The Saddleworth Male Voice Choir presented their annual Concert of Remembrance at the Civic Hall in Uppermill.
Love Lydgate hosted a community social in the Parish Hall, including an interactive talk with ‘WW1 solider’ Tommy Atkins followed by a sing-a-long and supper.
They are also placing hand-made poppies across the village create a red ribbon of remembrance, have installed a plaque on St Anne’s Church wall and published a book – ‘The Boys from the top of the Hill – to chronicle 44 local men who died.
And at Greenfield Cricket Club around 80 people gathered for a short service as the British Legion Standard was paraded by Arthur Hinchliffe, chairman of the Saddleworth Branch, before the Last Post was played.
The service took place at a bench dedicated to the Royal British Legion, which Cllr Neil Allsopp of Greenfield paid for to be installed last year to remember fallen soldiers as well as those presently serving.
Later, poems, including ones by locals Colonel Howcroft, HB Whitehead, Eric Johnson and poets Rupert Brooke and John Betjeman, were read and music played by Friezland Band.
Remembrance Concerts were held at band clubs in Dobcross, Diggle and Delph to commemorate the fallen.
And Diggle FC kits sported poppies on their kits during their games on Saturday as a mark of respect as part of the poppies4kits appeal.
[inpost_fancy thumb_width=”200″ thumb_height=”200″ post_id=”8450″ thumb_margin_left=”0″ thumb_margin_bottom=”0″ thumb_border_radius=”2″ thumb_shadow=”0 1px 4px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2)” id=”” random=”0″ group=”0″ border=”” show_in_popup=”0″ album_cover=”” album_cover_width=”200″ album_cover_height=”200″ popup_width=”800″ popup_max_height=”600″ popup_title=”Gallery” type=”fancy” sc_id=”sc1415614253078″]
You must be logged in to post a comment.