THOUSANDS of people paid tribute to those who died in the two world wars and in other conflicts at Remembrance Sunday services in towns and villages across Craven.

In Skipton, the closed High Street was crowded with hundreds of people for a parade of military personnel, emergency services and uniformed organisations and for the National Service of Remembrance, led by the Rev Canon Dr James Theodosius, rector of Holy Trinity Church. 

Following a service inside Holy Trinity, the parade, including two fire appliances from Skipton Fire Station, reassembled and marched back down High Street, in front of dignitaries including Vice Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire Brigadier John Wardle OBE and Skipton's Mayor, Sheila Bentley.

Earlier, Skipton MP Julian Smith laid a wreath at the war memorial following the two minutes silence at 11am and the sounding of the Last Post.

Wreaths were also laid by several individuals and organisations including Brian Eskriett, 94, for Blind Veterans UK; North Yorkshire councillors, Robert Heseltine and Andy Solloway; Sarah Howsen, of Skipton Business Improvement District (BID), and honorary freeman Harry Dowson.

Organised by Skipton Town Council and the Skipton Branch of the Royal British, there were more than 200 army personnel in the parade with the Yorkshire Gunners; 5th Regiment Royal Artillery; Royal Air Force, RAF Menwith Hill, Harrogate Army Foundation College, and the Royal Air Force cadets.

Councillor Winston Feather, Skipton Town Council's armed forces champion, said: "Anyone who attended the Remembrance Parade  cannot fail to be impressed by the presence of the soldiers and cadets. They represent our future security in an uncertain world. I offer my sincere and humble thanks to them all."

Louise Close chief officer of Skipton Town Council, said: "I am delighted we could all come together in support, to pay tribute to the armed forces, and their families, and the vital role they hold. We remember all those that have lost their lives in conflicts."

Skipton's mayor, Cllr Sheila Bentley, said to see such a strong turn-out made her proud to be mayor.

In Settle, Holy Ascension Church was full to capacity for the town's Remembrance Service, led by the Rev Julie Clarkson. Settle Mayor, Cllr Debi Rymer read the lesson, while Veronica Allsop, of St Mary and Michael Catholic Church; together with Wendy Holt, of St John's Methodist Church, led the prayers.

Students from Settle College gave a short presentation, while Giggleswick and Settle Brass Band played in church and led the procession along Church Street to the town's war memorial.

Community youth groups - explorers, scouts, cubs, beavers, guides, brownies, and rainbows paraded together with representatives from civilian uniformed services including police, fire service and Cave Rescue Organisation. Once again, the town welcomed a small unit of Gurkhas from Catterick Garrison to be a significant part of the ceremony.

In Ingleton, beavers, cubs, scouts and explorers, together with their leaders, paraded from Ingleton Community Centre to St Mary’s Church to take part in the Service of Remembrance and laying of wreaths at the war memorial. As the squirrels were too young to take part, they coloured poppies for a piece of creative art thanking the fallen for keeping them safe. In Settle, the sections paraded from the town to participate in the service before serving refreshments to the community.