Hundreds attend Remembrance Sunday parade

Veterans of the armed forces, together with local dignitaries, local clergy, Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans, members of the public and, significantly, lots of young people gathered at the war memorial in the castle grounds to pay their respects. It followed a parade from Clitheroe Parish Church, led by Clitheroe Town Band as well as Town Crier Roland Hailwood and watched by a large crowd of onlookers.

As well as observing two minutes’ silence, around 30 plus wreaths were laid at the memorial on behalf of the many and varied organisations in and around Clitheroe.

The Mayor of Clitheroe Coun. Mark French gave a reading at the packed church service led by the Rev. Andy Froud.

Coun. French also laid the first wreath at the war memorial and said a few words reminding those who attended that they were not just remembering those who fought in the First and Second World Wars, but also all the other conflicts since.

A large number of youngsters attended the services including Army Cadets and representatives from Scouts and Girlguiding. There were also various other Remembrance services held in Ribble Valley villages.

Coun. French also observed the National Pause to Remember on Friday at 11 am at the castle gates. The beginning and end of the two minutes’ silence was marked by signal rockets, and traffic was stopped for the two minutes’ silence.

In the Ribble Valley, volunteers, coordinated by Clitheroe’s Royal British Legion, were out in force last week collecting for the Poppy Appeal.

In Clitheroe, there were collections in Tesco and Booths supermarkets plus street collections.

Funds for the Poppy Appeal were also raised through a Poppy Ball at the Royal British Legion Club on Friday with a female artist singing songs from the Second World War era.

A fancy dress disco with a 1940s/war theme was also staged at the Horseshoe in Clitheroe on Saturday.

See this Thursday’s Clitheroe Advertiser and Times for more photographs of the parade and war memorial service.