WELL attended services of Remembrance have been held in towns, villages and hamlets across Craven.
Both the young and old took part in services and processions on Remembrance Sunday showing their respect for all those who lost their lives in the two world wars and conflicts ever since.
In Skipton, there were large numbers for Sunday's parade and service, jointly organised by the town council and the Skipton's Royal British Legion, and attended by Brigadier John Wardle, Vice Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, residents, local forces, youth organisations and schools.
The service of Remembrance was held at the war memorial at the top of the High Street followed by a service in Holy Trinity Church.
More than 150 army personnel took part in the parade from the 5th Regiment, Royal Air Force, Harrogate Army Foundation College, and the Royal Air Force cadets. There was also a high turn out of ex-service associations, veterans, uniformed public services, and schools and community groups.
Skipton Mayor, Cllr Claire Nash, said she was proud of the town council and Skipton for the high turn out which had made her proud to be mayor.
Louise Close chief officer of the town council, said: "I am delighted we could all come together in support, to remember the armed forces, and their families, and the vital role they hold. We remember all those that have lost their lives because of conflict or terrorism."
For the fifth year, the town's regiment, the Yorkshire Gunners, 5th Regiment Royal Artillery were in attendance. A further contingent from the Army Foundation College in Harrogate also took part – alongside representatives of emergency services, youth organisations, and community groups.
Lois Lodge, who served as an Army doctor in the Royal Army Medical Corps for 18 years, laid a wreath of white poppies on behalf of Skipton Quaker Meeting to represent a desire for peace and to commemorate all victims of war.
She said: "Who wants more and more dead service personnel to commemorate, or for that matter more civilian casualties, and more environmental devastation. Let's really make "never again" mean something."
Jette Howard, who organised the distribution of white poppies in Skipton this year, said there had been more interest in white poppies this year than ever, which she believed was due to the current situation in Gaza and Ukraine. Former mayor, the late Alan Hickman, a major in the Salvation Army, was the first to introduce white poppies to Skipton's annual Remembrance Sunday service in 2019.
A spokesperson for Skipton Town Council said: "We would like to thank the Royal British Legion, Chairman Gordon Bell, President George Martin, and member Keith Wright, who played an instrumental role in the organisation of the parade. We also like to thank Mollie Renshaw, who played The Last Post and Reveille and Jonathan Brown for playing The Lament on bagpipes, also to Robbie Walls and James Fowler, from Evica Lights, who supplied and installed the remembrance projections on Skipton Castle and the war memorial.
In Settle, every seat was taken for Sunday's service in the parish church for the service led by Rev Julie Clarkson.
Members of Settle Primary School's worship team gave a thoughtful presentation giving thanks for all who supported the nation during wartime.
Afterwards, a procession led by Giggleswick and Settle Brass Band made its way down Church Street, lined with people from Settle and surrounding villages to the town's cenotaph for the Act of Remembrance.
Scouts, explorers, cubs, beavers, brownies, and rainbows, representatives from the police, ambulance service, Cave Rescue Organisation, Settle Town Council, North Yorkshire Council, Settle Primary School, Settle College, Freemasons, retired members of the armed services and individuals laid wreaths at the memorial following the two minutes silence. Afterwards the scouts provided refreshments in St John's Methodist Church Hall.
In Ingleton, the village fell silent at 11am on Sunday. Not only did the community turn out in force, but Ingleton beavers, cubs, scouts, explorers and their leaders paraded from the Community Centre to St Mary’s Church to take part in the Service of Remembrance and laying of wreaths at the war memorial. Five colour parties presented their colours with pride and all the youngsters who took part gained much praise from members of the community for paying their respects with such dignity.
In Horton-in-Ribblesdale, more than 40 people, including children and holiday-makers, attended the Remembrance Sunday service.
Councillor Fiona Durham of Horton Parish Council laid a wreath on behalf of the village, and there were also wreaths from St Oswald's Church, schools and colleges, Selside, The Mother's Union, mountain rescue and the bell-ringers.
Personal wreaths were also presented including one for the Commonwealth War Grave of Flight Lieutenant Charles Harrison who was killed in 1944 aged 30.The Rev John H Renton conducted Charles’s funeral at St Oswald’s church. Pam Whitehead played The last Post, The Reveille and for the hymns and the National Anthem.
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