Many residents braved a cold, foggy November morning to line the roads outside St. Clare’s Church, Newton Aycliffe for the Annual Remembrance Day Parade and Service on Sunday 13th November.
Revd. Stephanie Price carried out a short service outside St. Clare’s where the observance of the two minutes silence and wreath laying ceremony was carried out.
Wreaths were laid, led by a representative of the Lord Lieutenant’s Office, Dame Dela Smith DBE DL; the Reviewing Officer, Fg. Off. Loraine; the Mayor of Great Aycliffe, Councillor Ken Robson; Councillors Jim Atkinson and Neville Jones as representatives of Durham County Council together with members of the Armed Forces, clubs, churches, schools and members of the public.
A display of poppies and had been placed around the outside area of the church and the commemorative D.L.I. bench was installed and provided by Great Aycliffe Town Council.
Following a service of remembrance in church conducted by Revd. Jeff Anderson, the parade assembled outside for the March Past and Salute overseen by Fg. Off. Harry Loraine. The Parade was dismissed in the yard of the Barnard Armoury.
A Remembrance Day commemoration with the laying of wreaths was carried out at St Andrews Church, Aycliffe Village later the same day with Rev. Ann Anderson carrying out the service.
The Mayor Councillor Ken Robson said, “Remembrance Day and the laying of the wreath has had a lasting effect on me. I was humbled to see so many Newtonians; of all ages; turn out for the parade and service both at St. Clare’s church and later at St. Andrews, in fact, I was quite overcome with emotion on the day. As Mayor of Great Aycliffe I would like to thank everyone for coming along to pay your respects for the fallen in all wars. Let us never forget their sacrifice.”
A short Service of Remembrance was also held in the Town Centre on Friday, 11th November at 11.00am, at which the observance of the two minutes silence took place.
