Honouring our fallen heroes

24 Nov 2021 03:57
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REMEMBRANCE events took place across Bolton borough as people of all ages came together to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

In Bolton, the borough's Remembrance Concert took place at the Albert Halls. The Act of Remembrance was conducted by The Vicar of Bolton, Rev Canon Dr Chris Bracegirdle.

There was a two-minute silence with an altar of drums. Standard bearers were on parade and Bolton's three young cadet forces were in attendance.

The borough's mayor Linda Thomas also joined veterans of all ages, military cadets, youth organisations and civic dignitaries at Victoria Square for this year's Civic Service.

The mayor was also formally presented with a poppy to mark the 100th year of the Royal British Legion's annual appeal.

The first poppies were sold in 1921 and the money raised each year helps the Royal British Legion support to Armed Forces members, veterans and their families.

The mayor's poppy was presented by Hulton councillor Andy Morgan, the council's Armed Forces champion and a veteran who served in the Army Air Corps.

Horwich's British Legion branch dedicated lamppost poppies to the hundreds of 'fallen heroes' from the town who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

A spokesperson said: "The importance to remember those who have their lives has never been more poignant when you consider the youngest of them was just 16 years old.

"John Gearns of 16 Winter Street, Horwich was lost at sea aboard HMS Hampshire, which sank on 5 June, 1916."

Pre Covid the generosity of people and businesses in Horwich and Blackrod helped raise more than £40,000 for the appeal.

Horwich and Chorley Councils also supported the poppy appeal by funding the lighting up Riving Pike to remember those who have fallen and give thanks to those that continue to serve.

Horwich's annual parade and service of remembrance saw town mayor Sue Denton joined by members of the town council, the Royal British Legion, Rivington and Adlington brass band and local clergy, along with members of the public.

The mayor laid a poppy wreath at the Loco Works War Memorial before the start of the parade.

The youngest children at Bolton School also came together to remember.

Children and staff at the school nursery decorated the horse chestnut tree at the front of the building with large-scale poppies. At 11 o'clock, the older children held a minute's silence.

At the pre-school class for three- and four-year-olds, children created beautiful poppy wreath artworks together.

Infant School children learned about Remembrance Day and why we commemorate November 1. In Year 1, they worked together to create beautiful mixed media poppy fields using watercolours, finger painting, glitter and oil pastels. They also used their ICT skills to create poppy field pictures.

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