Pupils old and new join school service
STOCKPORT Grammar School welcomed former pupils, known as Old Stopfordians, and dignitaries including the mayor of Stockport, councillor Linda Holt, Cheadle MP Mary Robinson, Hazel Grove MP William Wragg and Dr Robina Shah, deputy lieutenant of Greater Manchester, to take part in their annual Remembrance Day service.
Headteacher Andrew Chicken opened the service and pupils gave readings before wreaths were laid by Mary and head boy Samuel Howard and head girl Emma Crook.
Prayers were led by the Rev LE Leaver and Old Stopfordian Reg Holmes provided organ accompaniment to the hymns. Lower Sixth pupil Niamh Johnson sounded The Last Post.
Fifty-two Old Stopfordians died during the First World War and a further 60 were killed during WW2.
The Old Stopfordians, who attended the school between 1934 and 1969, received a talk from current pupils who have recently returned from a trip to the First World War battlefields.
While they were there, they laid a wreath in memory of Old Stopfordians lost in battle at the Memorial for the Missing at Thiepval on behalf of the school.
Mr Chicken said: “‘The Remembrance Service is a significant event in our school calendar and it is a pleasure to welcome back many former pupils each year.
“A large number of our current pupils have visited the Great War battlefields on our annual tours and it provides a valuable opportunity for them to reflect on work done in their history studies.”