Salute to our fallen heroes
Act of remembrance across county
SCHOOLS in part of Stoke-ontrent joined forces for an Armistice Day Service in the centre of their town.
Pupils from Mill Hill Primary Academy, St Margaret Ward Catholic Academy, St Wilfrid’s Catholic Academy, and St Mary’s C of E Primary School, were involved in the act of remembrance at 11am yesterday in Tower Square in Tunstall.
It was led by Father John Stather, the vicar of Christ Church, with the Last Post being sounded by Edward Bramwell-pollett.
Stoke-on-trent Lord
Mayor Lord Mayor Chandra Kanneganti laid a wreath at the cenotaph alongside Stoke-on-trent North MP Jonathan Gullis.
In Newcastle, 11 pupils from the Demetae Academy visited the cenotaph in the town centre to hand over handmade poppies.
They were created at the academy’s Forest School and Forest School leader Mel Treweeke had a collection of original letters from the First World War and medals that she shared with the pupils before they left for the cenotaph.
Pupils at Portland school in Trent Vale created their own Remembrance Day display to share with the community.
Sharon Smith, head of school, said: “Pupils have taken an immense amount of pride in creating a Remembrance Day display. As a school, we value the opportunity to build positive links with neighbours and support our children in developing a sense of belonging within the community.”
A service of remembrance took place at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire on top of the Armed Forces Memorial, featuring readings, musical performances and wreath laying.
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and Defence Minister Baroness Goldie were among those at the arboretum.
Wreaths were also placed at the arboretum’s national Armed Forces Memorial by Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant on behalf of Parliament, and by representatives of each of the three armed services.
Around 200 veterans and family members attended the service at the memorial, which bears the names of more than 16,000 killed in the line of duty.
At Vale Park, there was a great turnout of players, club staff and the Golden Valiants who were joined by a bugler from Blythe Bridge High School.
The Last Post was played by Will Mair, followed by a two-minute silence, before a rendition of We’ll Meet Again.
At Stoke City Corporal Alison Cartlidge, of the RAF, played the Last Post in the centre of the pitch at the bet365 Stadium.