IT was an honour to be involved with the organisation of the Spennymoor Afghanistan Commemorative Service that took place on Saturday at the town’s cenotaph.

It was organised within a couple of weeks and was a real team effort that couldn’t have happened without the assistance, expertise and knowledge of others who volunteered to make the service a credit to the town. It brought comfort to the family of Private Dean Hutchinson, who died in Afghanistan on February 14, 2011.

We would like to thank Spennymoor’s Parade Marshall, Arnold Sanderson, for his experience of such events and organisation on the day, Spennymoor Town Council for printing off the Order of Service and providing the PA system, Serjeant Chris Coxon of D (Rifles) Company, 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers for organising the buglers and playing the Last Post and Reveille, Father Matt Tarling of St Paul’s and Father John Livesley of St Andrew’s for conducting the service, Former Colour Sergeant Paul Hughes of the 2nd Battalion Duke of Lancaster Regiment for reading the Kohima Epitaph, Spennymoor detachment of the Army Cadet Force, the Standard bearers, the wreath layers and, most of all, the townsfolk who attended.

We would also like to give Wetherspoons thanks for providing veterans attending the service a free hot beverage.

Pete Molloy and Alan Gardner, Spennymoor.