Remembrance Day services to be held across the borough

Remembrance Day services to be held across the borough

Residents across the borough will have chance to pay their respects to those who have given their lives in defence of the country at this year’s Remembrance Day Services.

Commemorations to salute the nation’s war heroes will be held on Remembrance Sunday (9 November), with six parades across the borough.

Representatives from the Navy, Army and Royal Air Force will join veterans and civic dignitaries for the parades, which will take place in Rochdale town centre, Heywood, Littleborough, Middleton, Milnrow and Wardle.

Members of the public are invited to attend to show their gratitude to servicemen and women down the decades.

The Mayor, Councillor Carol Wardle, said: “This year will be particularly poignant as we will be commemorating 100 years since the outbreak of the First World War. As we remember all those who gave their lives and made huge sacrifices, the current operations in Afghanistan is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices our armed forces continue to make in order to preserve our freedom and I hope as many people as possible will join us for these ceremonies.”

And at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month (Tuesday 11 November) the Mayor, Councillor Carol Wardle, will lead a two minute silence, with prayers given by Reverend Canon Shackleton, at the town’s war memorial opposite the Rochdale Town Hall.

Councillor Alan McCarthy, Lead Member for the Armed Forces said the Royal British Legion does fantastic work, which it is really important to support and is encouraging everyone to wear their poppy with pride:

“It is so important we stop to remember the sacrifices made in the two wars and subsequent conflicts especially in this centenary year. The message of remembrance needs to be passed on to future generations. In Britain we remember those no longer serving, including those who have died for their country. It is a fundamental characteristic of human nature to remember and commemorate the fallen, not merely for the sake of our own peace of mind, but for the instruction of future generations that they might recognise the price of freedom.”

“Of course what we choose to remember, defines us both individually and collectively.

Remembrance functions on a number of levels, some deeply personal. It will mean different things to the comrade, the spouse, family, friends, children and grandchildren, - not forgetting the ordinary member of the wider society paying homage to the sacrifice of the fallen.”

From the last week of October until 11 November the Royal British Legion will hold its annual poppy appeal. The money raised by the sale of poppies is used to support British servicemen and women. They can be bought at Rochdale Town Hall, online at www.britishlegion.org.uk and from shops, supermarkets, pubs and other locations across the borough.

“As the generations that fought our two World Wars pass, the tradition that connects us to these events fades by degrees and the duty of remembrance devolves to those of us who thankfully have not known war. Until the day comes when nations learn how to resolve their differences without the exercise of military force, remembrance will be a permanent feature of our existence. The sacrifice of those who earned our freedoms is not forgotten.”

Full times of Remembrance Day Parade & Service