A SENSE OF PRIDE AS POPPY CASCADE TAKES CENTRE STAGE
DOZENS of wreaths were laid while a stunning cascade of poppies formed a poignant backdrop as families turned out in force to honour the war dead.
Large crowds were in Stone as the town’s Remembrance Day saw veterans and serving soldiers march through the town.
Earlier in the week, town mayor Kristan Green had unveiled a special bench at St Michael and St Wulfad’s Church to mark 100 years since the end of the Great War.
A poppy cascade from a tree was also erected ready for yesterday’s event.
Among those in the crowd was former Mercian Ryan Edwards who was prepared for a moving day. The 31-yearold, of Blurton, said: “This is the first time I’ve been to Remembrance Day in Stone. Afterwards I will be heading to my friend’s grave in Newcastle, to pay my respects to my fallen comrade Private Gareth Bellingham who died in Afghanistan.”
Stone councillor Rob Kenney said he felt pride at the turnout. He said: “On Saturday we put up all the flags and placed the poppy cascade on the tree ready for this.
“It makes everybody proud that so many people turn up.”
Bishop of Stafford Geoff Annas led Stafford’s service by the Victoria Square War Memorial.
There was also an open-air service in Market Square followed by wreath laying at the borough and county war memorials and a parade through the town centre.
James Dyer is President of Monmouthshire Royal Engineers. The 48-year-old, of Stafford, said: “My career spans 30 years and I’ve been coming here on Remembrance Day for the last 11. I’m remembering fallen colleagues who I have served with and lost. Myself and a few friends will meet up later and have a couple of drinks in their memory.”
Ray Jones, aged 80, of Stafford, from The Royal Engineers Association, said: “I’ve been coming here for many years, it’s always been enjoyable and it’s well attended.
“It’s great to see that it’s as busy as it was 20 years ago as you expect people to forget as time goes on but that’s not the case.”
Ted Burgess, aged 67, of Stafford, also of The Royal Engineers Association, added: “There are even more people this year. I first came in 1991 after coming out of the Army and have attended ever since.”