Poignant evening as armed forces reflect and remember

The great hall provided a stunning backdrop to the Festival of Remembrance

The armed forces community came together for a poignant Festival of Remembrance at Rochdale Town Hall on Friday evening.

A nostalgic evening included an act of remembrance, pie supper and performances by three military bands.

Over 150 people enjoyed music from the Scots Guards Association Pipes and Drums and The Band and Corps of Drums of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (Lancashire).

Dignitaries in attendance included World War Two veterans, local councillors, sea cadets from TS Frobisher and the Fusilier Association axemen.

Rochdale’s Festival of Remembrance is an annual event which is organised by veterans for the wider community and pays tribute to the work done by those who served and sacrificed.

The evening had added poignancy as it marked the centenary of the Armistice that ended the First World War.

There was an emotional moment as the Last Post sounded and representatives from each table, spanning the generations, laid poppy crosses on the mobile Cenotaph.

Councillor Janet Emsley, cabinet member for the armed forces, said: “This was a moving and memorable event which remembered and reflected on the sacrifices that members of the armed forces have made to protect our liberty and democracy.

“It was lovely to see different generations, from right across the borough, coming together to commemorate the fallen. I would like to pay tribute to everyone involved in organising such a great evening.”

Andrew Harrison, chairman of Rochdale branch of The Royal British Legion, said: “It is wonderful to see so many people coming together to support the armed forces family and remember the sacrifices made by so many. It is important that we remember why we remember. Veterans today need our support, as they did 100 years ago. Lest we forget.”

All money raised at the Festival of Remembrance will go to local armed forces charities to support local veterans and dependants.