Schools, colleges and communities paid tribute to the fallen during remembrance events in the North East and North Yorkshire on Friday (November 10).
Holding commemorative memorials, churches and school buildings became a symbol of remembering those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in World World One, World War Two and recent conflicts.
On Friday, Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College in Darlington held a service of remembrance to commemorate the servicemen and women who have fallen in the line of duty since the first World War.
The service, organised by QE’s Combined Cadet Force, welcomed staff and students to pay their respects by observing a laying of the wreath and a two-minute silence.
There was also an installation of poppies cascading from QE’s iconic clock tower, created by students at the College, made for a poignant backdrop for the service.
Cadet Emma Bell, who is in her second year at QE, said: “The opportunity to show respect to past and present servicemen and women, as part of the cadet community, is a very humbling experience and I am very proud to wear the uniform”.
Capt. Emma Hurry, Contingent Commander, added: “I am very proud of the respect that both the cadets and wider College community have shown towards the act of remembrance. They have all worked hard to commemorate this day in number of ways, including creating a superb cascading poppy installation and collecting for the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal this week.”
Meanwhile, nearby at Barnard Castle, the haunting melody of the Last Post echoed around a school grounds on Friday as hundreds of pupils and staff remembered those who fell in global conflict.
Barnard Castle School bugler Heather Brown played the poignant call as the whole school community turned out for a Remembrance Day ceremony.
A single cross was planted first by senior teacher and head of classics John Gedye to mark the loss of a former colleague who died suddenly at home last week.
Martyn Lewis spent 23-years at Barnard Castle School as school staff instructor with the Combined Cadet Force, as well as a being respected tutor and sports coach.
He joined Barney in 1997, following a decorated military career where he achieved the rank of WO1, and remained a hugely popular figure at the school up to and beyond his retirement in 2020.
Led by a large contingent of the school’s Combined Cadet Force, 721 students, aged four to 18, gathered in front of a large poppy painted on the grass before they and staff each placed a small wooden cross of remembrance.
Headmaster Tony Jackson laid a wreath on behalf of the school’s Old Barnardians, Prep School headmistress Laura Turner laid another on behalf of the school, while housemistress Elizabeth Heward placed one on behalf of the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham.
Mr Jackson said: “This is the only day of the year when the entire school comes together as one – and there is no better sight – to remember our and the town’s fallen. We come to remember the fallen and there is no more powerful an illustration of the impact of war on our community.
“For every pupil standing here today, there was an Old Barnardian who fought in conflict. In the Great War of 1914-18, 150 lost their lives, another 58 died in the Second World War and one in the Falkland’s campaign.
Further up the road, King James I Academy in Bishop Auckland held its annual Remembrance Service at the school’s Garden of Remembrance and memorial.
The service was attended by Air Cadets who are all students at the Academy, Headteacher Simon Whitehead, Chair of Governors, Mrs Elizabeth Varley and retired Army Sergeant, Mr David Henderson, who laid the poppy wreath.
Mr Henderson served in the Tank Regiment of the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards for 15 years from 1971-1986 before retiring.
As part of the King James service, Mr Whitehead read the poem, ‘For the Fallen’ by Robert Laurence Binyon, before 'The Last Post' was played by Year 13 student, Charlotte Robinson.
Students in classrooms across the Academy, were also able to feel involved by watching a film incorporating powerful wartime images, poetry and music; this was specially created within the Academy for the event.
Students at Dene Academy in Peterlee also arranged a Parade in front of their peers and parents, in memory of our fallen heroes from the community.
Lance Corporal Robson Suggit lead the Parade, Corporal Sean Linstead laid a poppy wreath on behalf of the School and Cadets read verses from the Poem, For The Fallen by Laurence Binyon.
Headteacher Mr Nelson thanked Head Boy, Lance Corporal Ben Stradling, and the Cadets for their commitment to the importance of Remembrance Day and for showing a sense of social responsibility and continually striving for excellence through community collaboration which is embedded through our School Ethos.
The School also had a sea of Poppies made by students, parents and the community.
They were all handmade from clay, which were painted and planted by students.
Rochelle Charlton-Lainé, Subject Lead of SMSC, said “As a school we are so lucky to have students that show their respects to those who have, and those who continue, to sacrifice so much to keep our community safe. We thank our students for creating such a touching service for our School and also thank the Art Department for giving up so much of their time to organise the Poppy display”
In North Yorkshire, more than 730 children of Armed Forces personnel stationed in North Yorkshire gathered at Ripon Cathedral on Friday for their own festival of remembrance – while many more watched a livestream of the event.
The cathedral’s altar was decorated with more than 300 poppy mandalas created by students during 16 workshops at schools in the months leading up to the festival.
Also on display was the Welcome to Our World photo exhibition, which featured more than 100 entries to a Month of the Military Child photo challenge earlier this year, plus new art and writing contributions from Colburn Primary School and Leeming RAF Primary School.
Pupils from 24 of the county’s schools attended the service, which was the 11th event to be organised by North Yorkshire Council’s service children’s champions, who support youngsters in the county’s large number of families involved in the military services.
For the second year, the service was livestreamed, to enable as many as possible of the county’s 3,560 service children to view it.
To tie in with the Welcome to Our World theme, each school took a globe to represent their place in the world.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for children and families, Cllr Janet Sanderson, said: “Each year, these services are not only a poignant act of remembrance, but a beautiful celebration of the identity and achievements of the military children whose families make such an important contribution to our county.
“After so many years, the services have become an integral part of the calendar for many schools with service pupils on roll. They give this wonderful group of children and young people the opportunity to make their voices heard.”
Among the schools to take part in poppy-making workshops was Risedale School in Hipswell. The head of art, Jaime Westwood, said: “The pupils loved making them and are so proud to have been able to contribute to an event which means so much to our community.”
Year 9 pupil Daniel Hibbins added: “It was a lovely way to remember the sacrifices that have been made by service personnel, to make my world a better place.”
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