Thousands in Nantwich and Crewe attend Remembrance Sunday services

Remembrance service at the Britannia Memorial on Municipal Square (2)

Thousands of people turned in across Crewe and Nantwich to pay their respects on Remembrance Sunday, writes Jonathan White.

Parades and services were held in both Crewe and Nantwich town centres as families remembered those who have fallen in conflict over the last 100 years.

In Crewe, there was a parade through the town followed by the Remembrance service at the Britannia Memorial on Municipal Square.

The Parade Marshall was Lt RL Jones RNR, the service was led by the Rev Tim Watson, with a Bible reading from Deputy Mayor of Cheshire East Councillor Hilda Gaddum.

There was the sounding of the Last Post, a two minute silence, and hymns.

Several local organisations, groups and schools were present and laid wreaths during the ceremony.

The music was performed by Crewe Brass and the Crewe Male Voice Choir.

Following the parade and service, at 12pm, the Christ Church congregation bell was rung 600 times in memory of the 600 people from Crewe who lost their lives during the First World War.

There was also a parade in Nantwich involving current and ex servicemen, cadets, scouts and guides, through to St Mary’s Church in the town centre.

Wreaths were laid at the War Memorial in the town square and a minute’s silence observed.

Hundreds packed in to the church for a moving service.

The congregation of children and adults of St Margaret’s Church and members of The Royal British Legion combined to bring real meaning to Remembrance Sunday in Wrenbury, near Nantwich.

They produced a scene of poppies on a backdrop created by members of Wrenbury Art Group.

The Reverend Alison Fulford, Vicar of St Margaret’s and Peter Bebbington, chairman of Royal British Legion, Wrenbury, were delighted with the efforts of all concerned.

Rev Fulford said: “The project demonstrated a wonderful spirit of cooperation in Wrenbury and each participant left with a red thumb as a reminder of the sacrifices of the past and the need to continue such acts of Remembrance in the future.”