CROWDS TURN OUT TO HONOUR THE FALLEN:

STOCKPORT came to a standstill this weekend as those who have given their lives defending the country were honoured.

Events took place across the borough with the main ones taking place at Stockport Art Gallery and War Memorial on Wellington Road South.

Here there was a twominute silence on Saturday - Armistice Day - at 11am, which had maroon rockets fired from the nearby civic complex to mark the beginning and end of it.

And on Remembrance Sunday there was another two-minute silence as well as a service led by Bishop of Stockport Libby Lane, the Last Post, prayers and wreath laying.

Mayor of Stockport, Councillor Linda Holt, attended on both days.

She said: “There were hundreds there it was absolutely amazing and really heartwarming.

“Things like this and what people did have to be remembered to try and prevent them from happening again - all the lads from Stockport who gave their lives.

“Lots of them went off to war thinking it would be a big adventure and that they would be home for Christmas. It really gets to you and you want to pay tribute to these people.

“There were a lot of veterans that had come out and brought their banners and standards and it was very emotional for a lot of them.”

A total of 17 services took place throughout the borough on Sunday.

Others included those in Bramhall, Hazel Grove, Romiley, Marple, Gatley and Cheadle Hulme.

The event at Stockport Art Gallery and War Memorial also involved a procession from the Armoury on Greek Street, involving veterans, current forces personnel and cadets.

Coun Holt said: “All the services were lovely. We are still fighting wars all these years on and young people will go to places like Afghanistan not knowing if their lives are going to be completely changed.

“You only need to go to the war memorial to see all the people who have fallen from Stockport, it has always been an area the Armed Forces have drawn from.” »»Pictures by Colin J Horne