Published Date:
11 November 2009
GARSTANG remembered its war dead on Sunday, with hundreds of people attending a town centre march, Sunday service and wreath laying ceremony.
A large crowd, including many children, gathered at the High Street car park on Sunday morning for the 'muster.'
The several hundred strong group, led by mayor and mayoress Coun Gordon and Lynn Harter, Sir Robert Atkins MEP and borough Coun Lady Dulcie Atkins' was led by Pilling Band along the High Street and Church Street to St Thomas's where a service was led by Garstang vicar the Rev Michael Gisbourne.
Following the service the congregation marched along Park Hill Road to the war memorial where 26 wreaths were laid. At the memorial the borough wreath was laid by Coun Lady Dulcie Atkins.
The last post was sounded by a member of Pilling Band, and the traditional reading from Binyon's tribute was read by David Carter, president of the Garstang branch of the Royal British Legion.
Among groups represented were the Town Trust, local parish councillors, Garstang Royal British Legion and the RBL Women's section, Garstang Freemasons, Rotary, Inner Wheel, Chamber of Trade and Garstang Army cadets.
Following acts of remembrance the Garstang Royal British Legion Club was open for refreshments.
Garstang RBL branch secretary and poppy organiser Mike Jones said he was pleased with the day's proceedings, especially after last year's problems when parking tickets being issued to Pilling Band members and others taking part in the ceremony.
This year Wyre Council adopted a 'free parking on Remembrance day' on the civic car park following protests about last year's incidents. Details of how much this year's Garstang poppy appeal raised will be known later this month.
Meanwhile at Preesall sports field a crowd of about 200 mustered on the car park before marching, led by Pilling band and St Aidans School cadets, to St Oswald's Church via Preesall and Knott End war memorial.
There wreaths were laid by Wyre mayor Coun Alan Vincent, Preesall mayor Coun Rosina Lawson, Coun Gordon McCann, and representatives of the police, coastguard and youth organisations.
At St Oswald's a service was led by the vicar Rev Stephen Gray. The Last Post was sounded cornet player Jake Orme, son of Coun Phil Orme.
* ARMISTICE Day is remembered today by villagers from Barton, Bilsborrow and Myerscough with a ceremony at Bilsborrow War Memorial this morning at 10.40 am.
Councillors Bill Collinson (Myerscough and Bilsborrow) and Trevor Tomlinson (Barton) were due to preside, with prayers being led by Rev Jeff Finch and Father Anthony Keefe.
Pipe Major Stewart Lyell will play tunes on the Highland bagpipes before and after the service. Children drawn from the Barton and Bilsborrow primary schools were due to form a ceremonial guard of honour.
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Last Updated:
11 November 2009 12:52 PM
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Source:
n/a
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Location:
Garstang