Remembrance Services 2025

Yesterday, Maggie, Rosie and I attended three Remembrance Services to celebrate those who fought for our country and freedom.

The day started early, at the Christ Church Cenotaph. At 9:30am, the service started with Justin Madders and Mayor Cllr Katie Kendrick OBE in attendance. Also joining them were members of the wider community. The service started with Rev Peter Peters saying some prayers. Shortly afterwards, the attendees laid their wreaths, remembering those who served for us in WW1 and WW2. The last post was then played, and everybody stood quietly, thinking of the reason they are here today.

Maggie, Rosie and I then walked over the Westminster Bridge to join those already at the Civic Square Cenotaph Service. The service started at 10:45am, which some may say was the most attended event of the day. The service was led by Rev. Rachel Newell, from St Thomas' Church, who did an amazing job. At 10:50, those with wreaths were invited to lay them down, with many bowing their heads and saluting, also remembering those who are the reason we stand on this earth today. At 11:00, there were 2 minutes of silence. At 11:05am, I had represented my school – The Ellesmere Port C of E College – saying an extract from the poem 'In Flanders Field'. At 11:15am, the national anthem was played, which many joined in with – God save our King. We then were faced with an amazing parade, which features in our video. All performed extremely well and impressed us all. The Civic Hall was then open to the public so that they could get some cake & refreshments. During this break, I interviewed the mayor of Ellesmere Port, Cllr Katie Kendrick OBE, but unfortunately the interview failed, as the microphone was dead.

The team and I then started walking to Little Sutton but stopped to make sure we had our wreath – photo shown below. At 13:30pm, the parade to St Paul's Church started. In the parade there were almost hundreds of people, young and old, representing Ellesmere Port and showing what we are all about: a true pride in the Port. We made sure to get lots of videos and photos of this big parade, as it wasn't something to forget! We arrived at St Paul's Church, where prayers were said and wreaths were laid. As mentioned before, we had our own wreath, which Rosie and Maggie had placed with such pride, yet compassion and deep sympathy. The parade then went back down to the Royal British Legion Club. By this point, everybody there was absolutely soaked due to the horrid weather, but this didn't mean anything; everybody still carried on marching and remembering veterans. After the celebration, we celebrated even more by having refreshments in the RBL. Hot-dogs and drinks were available. Unfortunately, we had to leave early, but as most were saying, it was an incredible event.

In conclusion to this incredible day, we can all look back and realise what those people, who didn't even know us, did for us. People who had never gotten to meet us had done such a kind act, so that we could have lives.