VETERANS were joined by schoolchildren and the Civic Mayor of Tameside, Cllr Mike Glover, to mark the 100th anniversary of Ashton’s War Memorial.
And the main aim was making it inter-generational.
More than 100 children from four schools – Parochial, St Peter’s St James’ and Canon Burrows – attended the gathering, organised by Ashton Historical Society, at the landmark on Friday, September 16.
Three of Parochial’s 10-year-old pupils – Jessica, James and Poppy – delivered remembrance speeches.
Cllr Glover delivered a speech explaining to them why it is so important, saying: “As we gather to commemorate the 100 years that have passed, we recall the sacrifices of the men and women killed in both World Wars and subsequent conflicts in the past 10 decades.That will never be forgotten.”
Area Dean of Oldham and Ashton Deanery, the Reverend Daniel Ramble, led the service while the Reverend Pat Lodge, chaplain to the Civic Mayor, and the Reverend Sheila Cant, representing the clergy team at nearby St Michael’s Church, also gave readings and led prayers.
St John’s Mossley brass band provided much of the music while Stephen Plumb, of the City of Manchester Pipe Band, was the lone piper.
As this was one of the few occasions to take place during the period of national mourning, prayers were offered to the late Queen Elizabeth II while a playing of The Last Post was followed by a period of silence then the Reveille.