We will remember them: Borough comes together for Remembrance Day services

People gathered at Rochdale Cenotaph on Sunday 14 November 2021

Residents across the borough will have the chance to pay their respects to those who have made sacrifices in defence of the country at Remembrance Day services.

Commemorations will be held on Sunday 13 November, with a number of services and parades taking place. Representatives from the Navy, Army and Royal Air Force will join veterans and civic dignitaries for parades in Rochdale, Heywood, Littleborough, Middleton, Norden, Milnrow, and Wardle.

Members of the public are invited to attend to show their gratitude to servicemen and women past and present.

The Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Ali Ahmed, said: “Remembrance Sunday is always a moving and reflective day as we come together once again, united as one, to pay tribute to our Armed Forces and honour the service of thousands of men and women from across the borough. Without the selfless dedication and sacrifices of our Armed Forces, the freedoms, liberty and values we cherish so much, would have been lost. We never forget.”

Councillor Janet Emsley, cabinet member for the Armed Forces, said: “As always it will be a moving occasion, as we gather across the borough to pay our respects to those who have served our country and protected our freedoms and liberty. I am proud of our ongoing work to support everyone in our Armed Forces community and Remembrance Sunday is about people of all ages coming together at local memorials to pause, remember and reflect.”

She added: “This year’s services will have had an added poignancy following the recent death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Her Majesty always stood side by side with our Armed Forces community and she will be in everyone’s thoughts when we come together on 13 November. In our remembrance we honour the fallen, people of all faiths and no faith, from all over the world. Side by side they fought together, they fell together and together they defended the freedom we all enjoy today. We are united in our remembrance. Lest we forget.”

From now until Sunday 13 November the Royal British Legion is holding its annual poppy appeal, which raises money to support British servicemen and women and their families. Poppies can be bought online at www.britishlegion.org.uk, Number One Riverside, Rochdale and numerous shops and businesses across the borough.

Every Thursday 9am–10am the council hosts a Veterans’ Breakfast Club at Touchstones, Rochdale. All ex-military and dependents are welcome to attend.

For details of all the Remembrance Sunday services and parades being held across the borough (Rochdale, Littleborough, Heywood, Middleton, Norden, Milnrow) including times, click here: Remembrance Sunday Parades and Services

The council signed the Armed Forces Community Covenant in 2012, aimed at encouraging communities to support services that promote and encourage activities that help integrate armed forces personnel back into civilian life.

Current or ex Armed Forces personnel can register for help or get more information. If they encounter difficulties when accessing services from the council or its partners email armedforces@rochdale.gov.uk or call the council on 01706 926989.