Remembrance Day Sevices 2011

The first Remembrance Service on Friday 11th November 2011

Schools Commemorate the Sacrifice at Darwen Cemetery

Over 80 local children and students attended the Friends of Darwen Cemetery Remembrance Service on Friday 11th November the 11th Month in the 11 year of the 21st century at 11am.

Local MP Jake Berry for Rossendale and Darwen and local D Day veteran and Darrener, Richard Westhead also attended and help place remembrance crosses on the 97 War Graves with chldren and students from local schools in both Eastern and Western cemeteries.

Many local residents and friends attended.

Re. Lena Talbot led a short service of remembrance with local students taking part.

Schools who attended were St. Peter’s CE Primary, St. Joseph’s RC Primary, Holy Trinity CE Primary, St. Barnabas CE Primary, Ashleigh Primary, Sudell Primary, Darwen Vale High School and Darwen Aldridge Community Academy.

John East, Chairman of the FODC said, “It was very moving, especially with local children taking part, placing crosses on the war graves with Jake Berry MP for Darwen, Richard Westhead, several war widows and Patrick O’Reily a retired soldier from a Lancashire Regiment. It is important to remember those war graves of the fallen buried here in Darwen.

Each one is now adopted by local schools, indivuals and organisations and I pay tribute the Darwen Community who respect and look after our local war dead.”

The second Remembrance Service on
Sunday 13th November 2011

“Everything was ready – gazebo up, hot and cold drinks ready, table out, leaflets ready – all was set. At 10.40am – everyone arrived. Best of all the weather was mild and the sun appear. Our special guest was Mike Coyle, Lancaster’s War Memorial Trusts Coordinator. Diane Davies helping with the new sound kit and the Rev. Lena fronting the Remembrance service.

The service was attended by members of St. Joseph’s Scout Group – who arrived by mini bus from morning mass. Residents of Darwen and members of the FODL joined in a moving service of remembrance, during which the sky above appeared to give us a kiss as two passing aircraft’s jet-streams crossed.

Attendees were invited round the cemetery to see the crosses placed on each grave last Friday by local children and students. Refreshments served and our tribute and service of remembrance over.

The FODC again proudly thanks everyone for helping and taking part as we continue to honour the service men and woman buried in Darwen Cemetery by tending their graves and involving the community, especially young people.

Chairman John East said, “It was very moving and solemn occasion and I hope we can continue in our communities and society to learn to live in peace and harmony out of respect to the fallen, who gave so much for us in past and continuing conflicts.”

Photos by Diane Davies, John East and Jayne Waring

FODC November 2011