Looking Back – Remembrance Sunday

Huge crowds gathered in Bishop Auckland Market Place on Remembrance Sunday to pay tribute to those who had fought and lost their lives in war. The Cenotaph Service at St Anne’s Church in the Market Place is organised annually by Bishop Auckland Town Council in partnership with The Royal British Legion and an estimated 2,000 people attended this year’s Remembrance Service and Parade, led by WO2 MacFarlane from 8th Battalion the Rifles.

Followed by Bishop Auckland Pipes and Drums, 2505 Air Cadets, Army Cadet Force, Royal Air Force Cadets, Motivational Preparation College for Training, the Scouts, Guides, veterans and members of the public, the 8th Battalion the Rifles set off from the Newgate Centre and marched to the War Memorial in the Market Place.

The Service at the War Memorial was led by Reverend Matt Keddilty, St Anne’s Church. Two minutes’ silence was impeccably held at exactly 11.00am marking the Anniversary of the end of World War One.

Pipes played ‘Abide with me’ as Dr. Robert McManners, Deputy Lord Lieutenant, representing HRH Queen Elizabeth II, laid the first wreath followed by Joy Allen, Mayor of Bishop Auckland who laid a wreath on behalf of the town. A further thirty two wreaths were laid by representatives of the forces, police, fire service and many other organisations and individuals associated with the town.

The Mayor of Bishop Auckland, Councillor Joy Allen, said: “I cannot praise the people of Bishop Auckland enough for the tremendous turn out today which was dignified, poignant and showed that our community has not forgotten the sacrifice made by so many.”

“The Council would also like to say a huge thank you to those behind the scenes who ensure the Act of Remembrance is made possible each year, particularly Ruth Wright from the Royal British Legion, WO2 MacFarlane from the 8th Battalion the Rifles, Rev Matt Keddilty and Clergy from St Anne’s Church, members from the 2505 Air Cadets, Mike Donne from SSAFA, Bishop Auckland Police, The Army Cadets – Bishop Auckland, Bishop Auckland Pipes and Drums and the DLI Bishop Auckland Branch.”

This year the Bishop Auckland Remembrance service was closed with prayer by Bishop of Durham, Paul Butler.

Community pulls together for a fitting tribute to the fallen at this year’s Remembrance Sunday

As the custodians of Remembrance, each year the Royal British Legion calls on the nation to unite in commemorating Remembrance Sunday.

The Cenotaph Service at St Anne’s Church in the Market Place is organised annually by Bishop Auckland Town Council, in partnership with Mr Peter Franklin from The Royal British Legion guiding and lending much valued support with the wreath laying order and organisation, which follows a strict protocol.

This year (13th November 2016) it was all change for the Town, there were three new standard bearers from the DLI, Royal British Legion and 2505 Air Cadets, as well as a new Padre, Reverend Stephen Ridley who led the service from St Anne’s Church, all of whom performed their duties perfectly on Sunday.

At the beginning of the year, a call for help was launched by the local Royal British Legion office for valuable assistance with this year’s poppy appeal, and thankfully that call was answered by Ann Williams-Maughan, Valerie Armstrong and Andrea Nicol.  The ladies, who are from ‘The Experience’ Kynren team, also called on their fellow team members to help out as a way of keeping the Kynren team spirit going over the closed season.

In Sunday’s bright sunshine the names carved on the war memorial gleamed as wreaths were laid not only by the town’s dignitaries, associations and organisations, including the armed forces, but also by younger members of the community, including the Scouts, Bishop Trains and Stockton and Darlington Railway Youth team.

Deputy Mayor Councillor David Fleming said:
“It was another fantastic turnout by the people of Bishop Auckland which is growing in numbers every year.”

“Our town has come together to remember those who gave their lives for our country. It’s also marvelous to see so many young people here too.”

“I would like to say a special thank you to everyone involved who made the Act of Remembrance possible this year, particularly Mr Peter Franklin, members from the 2505 Air Cadets, Revered Stephen Ridley, Parade Marshall Daniel Barron and also thanks and much appreciation to Bishop Auckland College, who designed and made a fantastic wooden frame which is situated around the cenotaph, this has enabled us to fix wreaths, crosses and poppies to the structure so that they don’t blow away, and keep the monument looking presentable.”