Members of the Parish Council were honoured to join representatives from local community groups, schools, the police and fire services to lay a wreath on Remembrance Sunday.
The ceremony was very difference to former years and we were saddened to have cancelled the parade and have a much reduced ceremony this year due to the Covid-19 crisis. The Parish Council worked closely with the Holmes Chapel Royal British Legion (RBL) to ensure that the wreath laying ceremony was held in line with Government guidelines, and attendees were socially distanced at all times. We continue to be grateful to the Holmes Chapel RBL for all their hard work in co-ordinating Remembrance Sunday commemorations.
The ceremony began at 10.50am with Canon Rob McLaren reading the names of all those listed on the War Memorial. Mr Malcolm Coates (Chairman of Holmes Chapel RBL) shared the 'Exhortation' which was followed by a 2 minute silence at 11am. The Buglar then played the 'Reveille', which was followed by representatives laying wreaths. Canon Rob McLaren ended the ceremony with a prayer of Blessing. Our current Chairman Cllr Brian Bath laid a wreath on behalf of the Parish Council expressing our gratitude for all those who gave so much for our freedom.
Our grateful thanks to residents who 'remembered from home' and we hope that in 2021, we can hold a Remembrance Sunday involving a parade, service and wreath laying ceremony.
For the Fallen
by Robert Laurence Binyon (1869-1943)
"With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.
Solemn the drums thrill: Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres.
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.
They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam.
But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;
As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain,
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain."
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