LIFE IN MY NORTHERN TOWN
I PAID my usual visit to the Cenotaph the other week to pay my respects to the fallen soldiers from Rochdale in the many wars we have been involved in and even though it is intrinsically a sad event, it is still one of my favourite days of the year.
The whole process never fails to move me and it is always nice to see a good turnout no matter what the weather is and this year’s was no exception with the ceremony taking place on a beautifully sunny yet brisk autumn day.
There is something strangely satisfying about the fact that it is the same ceremony year on year with only the faces of the dignitaries changing over time. It is all run like clockwork – the military are always very good at this sort of thing, all precision and polish.
And you can’t beat the setting – the town hall bell ringing 11 bells, the Cenotaph with the surrounding memorial gardens – all topped off by the newly-restored lights. Quite beautiful.
And to cap it all off, there was an eerie moment when the Last Post was sounded in complete silence and a gust of breeze suddenly blew hundreds of autumn leaves over everybody. A lovely moment. It was an event that my father enjoyed as well before he passed away some years ago and it never fails to make me smile knowing how much he enjoyed the day and a chance to show his pride at being Ukrainian and meeting up with old comrades and friends.
Those friends included the many Poles, Hungarian and other nationalities that were sent over here as displaced people after the Second World War.
The other thing I like about the day is bumping into people that I have not seen for ages and catching up with them.
And, of course, there is the breakfast afterwards – usually inside a packed Regal Moon, although The Flying Horse takes some beating.
And it was a nice gesture that some of the pubs that were open were giving out free coffee and tea, a welcome relief from the cold wind that was blowing in.
So all in all a very enjoyable day and a timely reminder about those from the town that gave their lives so that we can live in comparative safety and freedom.