Town remembers its fallen heroes
THOUSANDS gathered across the borough for Remembrance Day Services to honour the nation’s war heroes and pay tribute to the fallen.
Representatives from the Navy, Army and Royal Air Force joined veterans and civic dignitaries for parades and services in Rochdale town centre, Heywood, Littleborough, Middleton, Norden, Milnrow and Wardle.
Communities fell silent as the Last Post was played and residents gathered for well-attended services to lay their own wreathes and pay their respects.
Each included Laurence Binyon’s 1914 poem For The Fallen: “They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn; At the going down of the sun and in the morning; We will remember them.”
Special services to mark Armistice Day on November 11 were also held at Rochdale Cenotaph and memorials across the borough, as people gathered to show their respect for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
The Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Billy Sheerin, said: “It was a poignant and moving Remembrance Day, as people paid their respects to the fallen of past conflicts.
“As Mayor, I was proud to lay wreaths in remembrance of the brave men and women who did so much to protect our freedoms, liberty and values.
“We owe them so much for giving their today for our tomorrow.
“It was lovely to see people of all ages coming together to mark the occasion. “Lest we forget.” More than 50 bikes from Rochdale also attended the Ring of Red event that saw motorbikes groups come together to drive around the M60 in a ride of respect.