MORE THAN 700 pairs of feet marched over the sodden ground, winding their way up to the iconic war memorial atop Pots and Pans on Remembrance Sunday.
Young and old braved the whistling wind to gather at the summit, coming together under the grey skies to pay their respects to the fallen and continue a traditional started in 1923.
Sheltering from the elements in the shadow of the monument, Revd Godfrey Adams led the Service of Dedication and Remembrance in honour of those who died serving their country.
Poignant notes from Dobcross Brass Monkeys floated on the wind as the musicians made sure the show went on despite their music flapping around almost useless in the wind.
The crowd huddled close to sing hymns and pray before the ‘memorial of the dead’ was read out.
Then a minute’s silence filled the air – a moment of reflection, a moment of gratitude, a moment of peace.
After, a sea of red covered the monument as bright wreathes of poppies were laid by local organisations and groups including Saddleworth Parish Council, Saddleworth Women’s Institute, Saddleworth Round Table, the Rotary Club of Saddleworth, the Police, the Air Training Corps and the Scouts.
A gentle hush fell as Nicola Bolger, from Dobcross Brass Monkeys, played the Last Post, captivating the audience with the familiar tune.
And a rousing rendition of the national anthem rounded off proceedings – not before a huge gust of wind sent Revd Adams’ hat and one of the wreathes flying into the front row.
Revd Adams said: “I want to thank the young people and all the organisations, Oldham Mountain Rescue, and Dobcross Brass Monkeys, and all you gathered for coming today.
“To me the hills have a very biblical meaning, where people go to be closer to God. So it’s a pleasure and an honour to come up here and do this service.
“The sacrifices people made are great and so to see families and children who have made the effort and given up their morning to come up here and remember is very special.”
Elsewhere, locals gathered to pay tribute at services by the war memorial in St Chad’s Park, Uppermill, organised by the Royal British Legion Saddleworth branch.
Guests, including councillors, villagers and organisations, sang hymns accompanied by Uppermill Band before the Last Post was played.
Then wreaths were laid by Cllr Neil Allsopp, chairman of Saddleworth Parish Council, and representatives from the 23rd Oldham Greenfield St Mary’s Scout Troup and the ATC.
The RBL Saddleworth Branch also held their annual Remembrance Dinner at Boarshurst Band Club, including entertainment from Boarshurst Silver Band.
In Lydgate, a blood-red poppy will offer a poignant tribute to the fallen as it takes pride of place in the church.
The ceramic poppy was part of last year’s Tower of London installation ‘Blood Swept Land and Seas of Red’ and has been presented to St Anne’s Church by Charles Brierley of the White Hart Inn.
The unique poppy was dedicated during their Remembrance Sunday service and is to be installed in the church tower next to the memorial plaque.
Poppies also filled the village as they continued last year’s theme of the Red Ribbon of Remembrance, and lanterns were lit on graves of all those perished in the wars.
And there was another Remembrance Dinner in aid of the RBL at the Delph Club, including Remembrance tributes, entertainment and comedian Johnny Corrigan.
Saddleworth Male Voice Choir present their Concert of Remembrance, including popular world war songs and the Act of Remembrance while there were also evening brass band concerts at Diggle, Dobcross and Delph.
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