As the drums of the military band on the promenade at St Annes-On-Sea brought everyone together in processional order, a group of South Fylde Freemasons joined this annual march to the local War Memorial in Ashton Gardens.
Once assembled, the Service of Remembrance was led by veterans, church ministers and younger cadets of the combined forces. The well-known, patriotic hymns of ‘Jerusalem’ and ‘He who would valiant be’ were sung with passion and feeling by all assembled.
Following the ‘last post’ and two-minute silence, the director of ceremonies invited the groups assembled to come forward with their poppy wreaths. The first wreath to be laid was brought to the steps of the War Memorial by rugby legend Sir William Beaumont and Lady Beaumont representing the MP for South Fylde.
The 2024 Service of Remembrance was concluded with everyone singing beautifully, the first verse of the National Anthem. Juan Topping, Raymond Pinkstone and Geoff Crosland laid poppy wreaths on behalf of South Fylde Freemasons.
Following the ceremony, Ben Gorry, South Fylde Group Chairman along with Ray Pinkstone, explained the significance of the poppy wreath to his son Arran, who had been studying the topic in school over recent weeks.
Report and pictures by John Topping.