Remembrance Day tributes

Date published: 13 November 2020

How individuals, schools and groups have commemorated Remembrance Armistice Day (Wednesday 11 November) throughout the month with different acts of remembrance; from laying wreaths to holding socially distanced services and planting poppies.

Rochdale AFC pay tribute to the fallen with annual Game of Remembrance

Rochdale AFC paid tribute to those servicemen, women and former players who have fallen at Tuesday night's home game against Salford City (10 November).

Caen Matthews, representing the Royal British Legion Rochdale, along with the leader of Rochdale Council, Councillor Allen Brett, and Councillor Janet Emsley, led the teams out onto the pitch before kick-off and laid a poppy wreath in the centre circle in an act of Remembrance.

Rochdale AFC Club Chaplin Richard Bradley then read the Ode of Remembrance before a minute's silence was observed to remember all who served, sacrificed, and changed our world.

As part of the club’s 2020 Remembrance commemorations, a poppy shirt is being donated, signed by the Rochdale players, to the Broughton House Veteran Care Village in Salford, to be auctioned.

Broughton House Veteran Care Village is a charity and care home for ex-service men and women from across the North West who are currently in the middle of a £13m redevelopment to build the UK’s first Veteran Care Village.

Small service in Milnrow and Newhey

On Wednesday 4 November, council leader Allen Brett and Neil Butterworth (Chair of Pennines Business and Tourism Forum) laid a wreath at Milnrow and Newhey Memorial Park in remembrance of the people of Milnrow, Newhey and Ogden who gave their lives for their country during the First World War and all more recent conflicts.

It was ensured that social distancing was maintained throughout the ceremony.

Neil Butterworth said: "At this time, I especially remember my late father Fred Butterworth. He joined up to fight in World War 2 and celebrated his 21st birthday in a tent in Germany. By the time VE Day came around on 8 May 1945, he had reached the rank of Sargeant Major.

"We see a generation like Captain Tom who have a moral and loving presence and continue to be positive, doing good things for the community and the public in general, we must never forget them.

"This year will be different, we will not be allowed, for good reasons, to meet in groups on Armistice Day, but we can still do things that help our communities and people globally, lets keep working together to help others and fight for peace.

"The sacrifices we are all making in our daily lives in order to protect older age groups from harm, or shortening lives, are pale in comparison to those who made the ’ultimate sacrifice’ in past conflicts, or the sacrifices made by British civilians during WW2 who endured years of rationing of food and clothing, as well as many nights of terror during air raids.

"I know it is dispiriting to not be able to hug our friends and family, and gather socially with a large group of people, but if we can save the lives of others by keeping to the rules, surely it is a price worth paying."

Brimrod Primary School

Brimrod Primary School on Holborn Street, Rochdale observed two minutes silence on Remembrance Day (Wednesday 11 November) to show their respect.

The Year 6 class made poppies out of the bottom of empty water bottles and stuck them to sticks which were then planted in the school's outdoor containers.

The whole school have been taking part in Remembrance activities during the week commencing Monday 9 November.

Councillor Faisal Rana pays his respect on Remembrance Sunday

Councillor for Spotland and Falinge, Faisal Rana, paid his respects at Rochdale Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday (8 November).

He said: "This year's Remembrance Sunday was even more poignant because of the Covid restrictions. However, I was proud and honoured to be able to pay my respects to Rochdale's fallen heroes. They will never be forgotten."

Remembrance at St Cuthbert's

At 11.11am on Wednesday 11 November, the Last Post was played throughout the school corridors at St Cuthbert's. Classroom doors were opened so that students and staff could hear the Last Post being played.

A two minutes' silence was observed before information, images and videos were shown simultaneously within all classrooms.

A remembrance service also took place outside the chapel with Mr Shields, Mrs Battaglia, Year 9 GIFT Chaplains, Jack Gillespie, Josef Pevec-Loft, Roisin Hassett, Katie Godman, Aimerance Makambo and two singers from year 10 Alicia Moroney and Nicole Bakali and Cadet Jenna Jackson.

Students and staff had the opportunity to write on baubles of remembrance for loved ones who had died and then tie the messages to the trees outside the chapel.