REMEMBRANCE services honouring those who made the ultimate sacrifice defending their country are being held at venues across Wirral this weekend.
The commemorations begin on Saturday (November 9) with a special service at Seacombe Ferry Terminal.
The service, has run every year for 15 years and begins when everyone is welcomed on board the ferry by a piper. When the boat is out at sea, a local minister will lead the service to remember loved ones as a soloist sings. Finally, ashes will be scattered out at sea. When everyone returns to land the sea shanty band will play and the local minister will lead another service. The event is not open to the public.
Bebington: 10am at St Andrew's Church and Cenotaph followed by a service at the Royal British Legion Club on Teehey Lane at 11.45am.
Bidston: 10.15am at St. Oswald’s Church followed by wreath laying at the War Memorial.
Birkenhead: 10.55am at The Cenotaph in Hamilton Square.
Bromborough: 10.15am at St. Barnabas Church followed by the Act of Remembrance and wreath laying at the war memorial at 11.00am.
Heswall: 10.30am at St. Peter’s Church, Lower Heswall, followed by wreath laying at the War Memorial on Dee View at 10.45am.
Moreton: 10.30am at the Cenotaph on the corner of Maryland Lane and Pasture Road.
Port Sunlight: 10.45am at the War Memorial followed on Bath Street by a service at Christ Church.
Prenton: 10am Service at St Stephen’s Church, continuing at the War Memorial at the junction of Osmaston Road and Prenton Lane at 10.45am.
Thornton Hough: 2.20pm to gather at Smithy Hill for march to the War Memorial for an outdoor service at 2.45pm, continuing at All Saints Church on Raby Road.
Upton: 10.45am for wreath laying at the War Memorial outside the Upton Library on Ford Road.
Wallasey: 10.30am. The Parade will meet at the bottom of Hertford Drive (veterans are invited to join), followed by the service at the War Memorial on Magazines Promenade.
West Kirby: 10.30am at Grange Hill (for a 10.45am start).
Mayor of Wirral, councillor Cherry Povall, will lead the Civic Service at Hamilton Square in Birkenhead, which starts at 10.55am at the Cenotaph.
A two-minute silence will be observed at 11am, followed by a traditional Service of Remembrance, taken by Reverend Paul Bentley, Vicar of Birkenhead Priory Parish, Rural Dean of Birkenhead. The reading and blessing will be given by the Reverend Sandra Fletcher.
The Mayor will lay a wreath at the Cenotaph on behalf of the people of Wirral, alongside Deputy Lieutenant Sue Higginson OBE, who will do so on behalf of His Majesty The King.
They will be followed by other civic dignitaries and representatives from the armed forces, veteran’s groups, cadets, community groups, faith organisations, and the emergency services.
At the end of the service the Mayor and Deputy Lieutenant will take the salute at a march past led by 107 Field Squadron, Royal Engineers.
After the parade has left Hamilton Square members of the public will have an opportunity to place their own tributes on the Cenotaph.
The Civic Service will be live streamed on the Council’s Facebook page and a copy of the service sheet for Birkenhead will be available to download from the Council website.
The Mayor said: "Communities across Wirral will join others across the UK and beyond this Sunday to honour the courage and sacrifice of the fallen, and all those who have helped to defend the freedoms we have today.
"We can never forget or take their selflessness for granted.
"Once again, Remembrance Sunday sadly takes place at a time of terrible conflict in the world, which is a sharp reminder of the day’s abiding theme of hope for a more peaceful world."
A Service of Remembrance will be held held in the Memorial Garden at Flaybrick Cemetery in Birkenhead on Monday (November 11)
Among those attending the service, organised by community group Friends of Flaybrick will be the Deputy Lieutenant of Merseyside, Dr Nicholas Jedynakiewicz, who will lay a wreath on behalf of His Majesty The King; The Mayor and Mayoress of Wirral, a representative of Birkenhead MP Alison McGovern and Cadets and officers from 400 (Birkenhead) RAF Air Cadet Squadron.
Anyone wishing to attend is asked to arrive from 10.40am and assemble at the Cross of Sacrifice in front of the chapels.
The service will be led by Reverend Keith Addenbrooke from St James’s Church and Reverend Joe Smith from St Oswald’s Church, and a lament, Flowers of the Forest, will be played on pipes by Professor Calum Semple OBE. As in previous years, children from local schools will assist with readings.
Rob Dolphin, chair of the Friends of Flaybrick, said: "We’re very much looking forward to our annual Service of Remembrance which is one of the most important dates in the calendar of The Friends of Flaybrick.
“We’re extremely grateful to all of our guests for taking time out of their schedules to be with us on the day. We also hope that many of our friends and supporters will be able to join us.
“After the laying of official wreaths, people will be welcome to lay their own tribute at The Cross of Sacrifice."
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