On an overcast morning some 400 people gathered at the Eccles War memorial to pay their their respects for loved ones who had paid the ultimate price by laying down their lives for the country.
The service was conducted by the Rev Jez Wisdom representing Churches Together in Eccles for the first time and deserves the credit for a wonderful service and for me the personal touch he gave by mentioning local young men who had died tragically young in the First World War.
Goodshaw Brass Band lead the marchers into the cordoned off area around the Cenotaph, as prayers were said for the fallen.
The standard bearers dipped their flags as Helen Toole played The Last Post and the two minute silence was observed in total silence as the crowd bowed their heads deep in contemplation for loved ones.
After the reading of the Kohima Epitaph wreathes were laid by Eccles Councillors, Royal Navy, Merchant Navy, Greater Manchester Police, Eccles Parish Church, Women’s Institute, Eccles 3/1st Scout Troop, Eccles RUFC, Cirl Guides, Brownies followed by a flood of individual wreathes and crosses.
As the Goodshaw Brass Band led the veterans out onto Barton Lane the crowd burst into spontaneous applause which was so heartening to see and fully deserved, and a mention to the convoy of motorcyclist who has attended in total silence then roared off to a round of applause.
I have been attending the Remembrance Sunday service for many, many years and it is heartening to see it going from strength to strength with the attendance getting bigger each year and people of all ages.
Finally a massive thank you to Tony Martin for setting up the P.A. system which enabled every word said by Rev Jez Wisdom and invited speakers to be heard crystal clear and lets not forget Graham Walker who once again arranged and coordinated todays event, a logistical nightmare but as befits an army veteran it ran like clockwork, well done those men!
