Hundreds line the streets as Harrogate remembers its fallen

At the Stonefall Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery Remembrance service, organised by the Rotary Club of Harrogate Brigantes and led by the Rev David Hoskins, the wreath-layers included: the Mayor of Harrogate, Coun Nick Brown; the Deputy Lord Lieutenant, the Rev Brian Hunt; Andrew Jones MP; Andy Morrison, President of the Rotary Club of Harrogate Brigantes; Christine Bye, in memory of her grandfather Commander Wearmouth, and Mike Comerford, the Royal British Legion.

Students from Rossett School gathered to lay red roses on every war grave; a responsibility which Assistant headteacher Andy Norrington said was a “great honour”.

He said: “As more time passes since the First World War and other major conflicts of the 20th century, it becomes increasingly important that today’s young people are helped to understand what happened and the impact it had on so many lives. We are proud to have played a part in this year’s commemorations.”

Guy Wilson, who leads the team organising the Stonefall remembrance service, said: “It is incredibly important that we remember how much we owe to people in the past who have come to our rescue and helped us, and were prepared to give their lives for us, and we must never forget that.”

Marching proudly in the Remembrance Day parade at the Harrogate war memorial was 11-year-old Ben Fearnley, a member of the Tewit Youth Band. He was the youngest band member on parade, and very much enjoyed the experience of marching jointly with the Harrogate Band.

Wreath-layers at the Harrogate war memorial included: the Harrogate branch of the Royal Naval Association; the Yorkshire Regiment; the St John Ambulance Brigade; the British Red Cross; the Mayor of Harrogate, Coun Nick Brown; Andrew Jones MP; the Royal Air Force and the Deputy Lieutenant Air Commodore Simon Bostock.

In Starbeck, the Remembrance parade was led by 58 Harrogate Squadron Air Cadets; the Royal British Legion standard bearer; Starbeck Brigades; St John’s Ambulance, and the local Scouts, Cubs and Beavers.

The buglers from Starbeck Brigades played the Last Post. Councillors Margaret-Ann de Courcey-Bayley, Janet Law and Philip Broadbank laid wreaths, and Starbeck’s churches were represented. The Head Boy and Head Girl from Starbeck school gave a reading about the Battle of the Somme and Donald Bell, who taught at the School and was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1916. Community groups including Starbeck in Bloom also laid wreaths.