SCHOOLS NEWS
ROSSENDALE schools paid their own Remembrance tributes to the fallen.
The Mayor and Mayoress of Rossendale joined members of Veterans In Communities, firefighters, governors, staff, parents and pupils at Fearns Community Sports College, Stacksteads, for a Remembrance service.
The service explained the meaning of poppies and recited poetry, including In Flanders Fields. Pupils concluded the service by laying home-made paper poppy wreathes they had made with personal messages written on each poppy. Organiser and head of humanities Sarah Cheshire said: “I was very impressed with the pupils who spoke and with the pupils who were so respectful of the occasion.”
Children from Northern Primary School in Weir made their annual walk to the Deerplay War Memorial for a Remembrance service. Children from Year six revealed what they had learned about Armistice Day, followed by prayers and the Last Post on Friday, November 10. Miles Alderson, Lay Pastor of Weir Baptist Church, said: “The weather was typically cold and wet this year. But they were all brilliant and all of the children who read this year were absolutely excellent. It brought together children, school staff, parents and people from the village to remember the sacrifice people made.”
Pupils were assisted in their walk by police and the fire service who helped them to navigate roadworks. Headteacher Jackie Marr said she was ‘very proud’ of the children. She said: “It is very important that today’s children understand the significance of Armistice Day.”
Pupils at Alder Grange school in Rawtenstall gathered on November 10 for a moving assembly - to mark the 100-year anniversary of the end of the Battle of Passchendaele.
Parents, teachers, veterans and local cadets attended the service, which included live performances of ‘Abide with Me’ and ‘Let There Be Love’, plus video presentations created by pupils. The school choir sang ‘Live Forever’, and a two-minute silence took place at 11am before The Last Post was performed by Ged Varley. Children were asked to wear red and black and donate a £1 to the Royal British Legion. Head of school Jo Griffiths said: “A number of the students and teachers put a lot of time and effort into the assembly. It was a fitting tribute to mark this significant day, and great to see so many people here.”