Whitworth commemorates 100 years since the end of WWI

Photo: Mike Burgess

Whitworth Remembrance Day 2017

Whitworth Town Council is playing its part in ‘Battle’s Over’, an international commemoration marking 100 years since the guns fell silent at the end of World War One and holding a Service of Remembrance on Sunday 11 November.

There will be a Celebration Evening on Saturday 10 November commemorating 100 years since the signing of the Armistice.

On Sunday 11 November Whitworth residents’ young and old will gather to remember those lost and injured during times of conflict.

The town’s Remembrance Sunday commemorations will begin with the Remembrance Sunday procession, which will leave as usual from opposite the former Town Council Offices (just north of the corner of Market Street and Tong Lane) at 10.20am; the processional route will be the subject of a road closure order for this short period of time and drivers are advised to avoid the area. 

The procession will be led by Whitworth’s Mayor who will be supported by the Whitworth Vale and Healey Brass Band, plus the local uniformed organisations, Town, Borough and County Councillors, representatives of the town’s schools and places of worship, Lancashire Constabulary and members of the public.

The procession will arrive at Whitworth’s Memorial Gardens in Facit at approximately 10.40am and will be followed immediately by a Service of Remembrance around the Cenotaph, including a two-minute silence at 11am.  The service will be led by the Mayoral Chaplain.

Following the Service of Remembrance, everyone is invited to cross the road for light, warm refreshments at The Riverside (Civic Hall).

At 6.55pm, Sunday 11 November, at Lobden Golf Club, Whitworth, a lone bugler will sound the last post, all are welcome to mark this momentous occasion.

At 7.00pm a Beacon of Light will be lit on the Top of Brown Wardle Hill, Whitworth.

At 7.05pm St Bartholomew’s Church Bells will ring out for peace. 

Organised by Pageant master Bruno Peek LVO OBE OPR, Battle’s Over takes place on 11 November, with events throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, and at scores of locations overseas, including New Zealand, Ireland, Australia, Bermuda, France, Belgium, Canada, the United States and Germany, to name but a few.

A spokesperson for Whitworth council said: “Whitworth is proud to be playing a part in this historic international event to commemorate the centenary of the end of the Great War, and to recognise the contribution and sacrifice made by the men and women from our own community.”