We will never forget them - Garstang pays tribute ahead of Armistice centenary

The citizens of Garstang and surrounding villages have put in a massive community effort to ensure this Remembrance Day will be extra special.
The Market Cross tribute in Garstang and poppies on postsThe Market Cross tribute in Garstang and poppies on posts
The Market Cross tribute in Garstang and poppies on posts

Tributes to the fallen have appeared in Garstang streets and at village memorials over the past few days.

From a trail of poppies at Calder Vale, to the decorated Garstang Market Cross, the displays thoughtfully mark the centenary of the end of the First World War.

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David Brewin, President and Poppy Appeal Organiser of the Garstang branch of the Royal British Legion, has placed huge poppies on bollards around Garstang town centre.

Pupils at Garstang Community Primary School with copies of the books donated by Garstang Historical Society.Pupils at Garstang Community Primary School with copies of the books donated by Garstang Historical Society.
Pupils at Garstang Community Primary School with copies of the books donated by Garstang Historical Society.

A First World War ‘Thank You’ street party for veterans was also organised by Mr Brewin. It was held at Garstang Golf Club, with food served by local cadets.

Dedicated crafters have knitted and crocheted more than 800 poppies and attached them to a net which has been placed in tribute on the Market Cross.

Garstang and District Heritage Society’s district Poppy Trail provides a permanent reminder of those who gave their lives.

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Meanwhile pupils at three Garstang schools are learning about the part played by brave local servicemen during the First World War.

Community team work -  preparing the poppy tributesCommunity team work -  preparing the poppy tributes
Community team work - preparing the poppy tributes

Copies of the local history book ‘Garstang’s Great War Heroes’ have now been given free of charge to pupils at Garstang Community Primary School, St Thomas’ CE Primary and SS Mary and Michael’s Catholic Primary, Bonds.

These lie within the boundaries of the area drawn up by the Garstang and Lower Barnacre War Memorial Committee in the early 1920s.

Stephanie Reeves, head of Garstang Community Primary School, held a Remembrance themes assembly at the school this week and thanked Garstang Historical Society and co-authors Paul Smith and Anthony Coppin for the books donation.

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A spokesman for Garstang Historical Society, which has overseen the financing and publishing of the book said: "Although the book has been written with adults in mind we have given copies to children with the idea is that it will be a 'long term' gift for both them and their families, with the youngsters' appreciation of the biographies in the book growing over the years."

The memorial at Calder Vale has been decorated with a  river of poppies in advance of  Remembrance DayThe memorial at Calder Vale has been decorated with a  river of poppies in advance of  Remembrance Day
The memorial at Calder Vale has been decorated with a river of poppies in advance of Remembrance Day

The main author of the book, Paul Smith, will be giving a lecture on the final phase of the war on the evening of Sunday, November 11th at 7.30pm at St Thomas’s parish / community hall. Tickets cost £5 including refreshments and are available from Market Place News. Copies of the book are also on sale at Market Place News and the Garstang Visitor Centre. Free copies will also be made available to students from Garstang, Bonds and Bowgreave who attend schools, sixth forms or colleges outside Garstang, or are at university. For details ring 01995 605824.

• Garstang Remembrance parade assembles on Sunday at 9am on the High Street car park and proceeds to St Thomas’s for a 9.30am service. Wreaths will be laid at the war memorial at 11am. In the evening the Town Council’s Remembrance event 'Battle’s O’er' starts at 6pm at the Market Cross.The lighting of a beacon for peace is at 7pm.