Port proud to stand in silent remembrance

Fleetwood Gym players pay their respects on Remembrance Day.

Fleetwood Old Boys Band lead a parade of former servicemen, officials, members of the emergency services and representatives from local organisations to the Cenotaph at the Memorial Park.

Residents who had gathered there looked on as the parade took their positions, many of whom were children representing the town’s schools and youth groups.

Father Paul Benfield from St Nicholas Church delivered prayers and readings to the crowds.

Fleetwood Old Boys Band on the march during Remembrance Day in the town.

Fleetwood Old Boys Band buglars Roy Bond and John Scott sounded the Last Post to signify the two minutes silence and the park fell silent.

Deputy mayor Coun Emma Anderton, who comes from Fleetwood, laid a wreath on behalf of Wyre Council at the cenotaph,

The parade then returned along Lord Street to the Rowntree Clock where a salute was taken.

Chairman of the organising committee Ron Kennedy said: “The Fleetwood public did the town proud, as they always do at this event.

“It went down very well and I was pleased to see people of all ages at the Cenotaph.”

Afterwards Dave Southwell, of Fleetwood Old Boys band, said: “We are always quite nervous on Remembrance Day.

“We are used to performing at all kinds of functions throughout the year but Remembrance Day is a very solemn occasion.

“We have been involved in these parades for years now and it is always an incredible honour.”

And Barry Whittaker, chairman of Fleetwood Gym Junior Football Club, spoke of his pride that youngsters from the club were in attendance.

He said: “We all wanted to show our respects for all our fallen heros but also to Marine Commando Darren Smith, an ex-player of Fleetwood Gym who died in Afghanistan.

“Darren played all his junior football with our club.”