Armistice Day service takes place at Flaybrick Memorial Gardens

Hundreds attended the service, organised by Birkenhead charity the Friends of Flaybrick.

Among those attending the Armistice Day service at Flaybrick Memorial Gardens in Birkenhead this morning (Monday, November 11) (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest) Among those attending the service were the Deputy Lieutenant of Merseyside, Dr Nicholas Jedynakiewicz, who laid a wreath on behalf of His Majesty The King; The Mayor, councillor Cherry Povall JP and Mayoress Sheila Clarke MBE · A representative of Birkenhead MP Alison McGovern, Brian Sinton from The Friends of Flaybrick and Cadets and officers from 400 (Birkenhead) RAF Air Cadet Squadron.

Also attending were students from Ridgeway High School in Prenton.

Reverend Keith Addenbrooke from St James’ Church led the Armistice Day service at Flaybrick Memorial Garden this morning (Monday, November 11) (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest) The service was 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, was played on bagpipes by Professor Calum Semple OBE.

Professor Calum Semple OBE played 'Flowers of the Forest' during the Armistice Day service at Flaybrick Memorial Garden (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest) As in previous years, children from Bidston Avenue Primary School read The Soldier, a poem by Rupert Brooke.

Read more: Remembrance Day services take place on Wirral

Rob Dolphin, Chair of the Friends of Flaybrick, told the Globe afterwards: “We start planning this in June, which probably sounds ridiculous, but we always have a bit of a break from our group meetings in August so if you don't get things going by then it's the middle of September before you know it and there only six weeks to arrange it in time for Armistice Day.

Deputy Lieutenant of Merseyside, Dr Nicholas Jedynakiewicz, who will lay a wreath on behalf of His Majesty The King (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest) "We had our first religious meeting here since 1975 in 2018; at the time we thought it was appropriate being the centenary of the end of the First World War.

"In 2016, when these chapels were in the process of being restored, one of representatives, Brian - who lays our wreath every year - clambered over builders' rubble and scaffolding to lay one wreath. Today, we've had representatives of The Crown and a piper for the first time."

On the service's success to date, Mr Dolphin continued: "The event seems to grow and grow each year and is well-supported by local people and those from far afield. We also have a uniform presence now.

Among those who attended the Armistice Day service at Flaybrick Memorial Garden this morning (Monday, November 11) (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest) "I think we have gone as far as we can with the service and if we can maintain this level of respect for those who gave their lives, it's a wonderful tribute and the highlight of our year that we can come together and are supported by so many people.

”It really is a wonderful day and we were blessed with the weather."

You can find out more information about the Friends of Flaybrick via their website www.flaybrick.org.

You can also follow them on social media on Facebook and Twitter.