Erewash marks Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day

Ceremonies involving the youngsters are being held this week ahead of the borough traditionally turning out in force on the Sabbath to pay its respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

The first of the salutes was at Ilkeston’s Park Cemetery, where children from the town’s Chaucer and Granby junior schools sported poppies on Tuesday 4th November. 

Erewash Borough Council’s ex-Mayor Cllr Frank Phillips and his wife Cllr Pam Phillips were there – and later attended a morning service at All Saints Church in Kirk Hallam. It was attended by pupils from nearby Ladywood and Dallimore primary schools.

On Wednesday 5th November, Frank joined a similar morning service at Ilkeston’s Stanton Road cemetery, where youngsters from Kensington junior and from St Thomas school gathered with three and four-year-olds from a nearby nursery – The Pines. The councillor had earlier attended a remembrance service at the Stanton Ironworks Memorial.

On Thursday 6th November, another event involving children will be held at the World War II memorial next to Ilkeston’s St Mary’s Church. Erewash Borough Council Leader, Councillor James Dawson will be joined there by youngsters from the Cantelupe Centre, which is just yards away.

Friday will see a remembrance service held in Risley. Councillors Frank and Pam will be joined there by pupils from Risley Primary.

The borough’s main remembrance events on Sunday 9th November – are again set to attract thousands. A parade to Ilkeston's Market Place Cenotaph – where wreaths will be laid at 10:45am – will set out from the town's South Street car park. People are asked to gather there prior to 10:15am to join the procession. Mayor Cllr Harry Atkinson will lead the council’s tributes following his attendance at a 10am service in St Mary’s Church. 

One feature of the Cenotaph event will be absent this year. The band Ilkeston Brass usually plays but it currently has too few musicians – sparking a desperate plea for new recruits. Anyone interested in becoming a player is urged to email secretary.ilkestonbrassband @ gmail.com

In Long Eaton, townsfolk are also requested to gather before 10:15am for a parade from West Gate to the nearby War Memorial – where ceremonies will begin at 10:40am. Deputy Mayor Cllr Greg Maskalick will attend a 9:30am service at St Laurence Church before joining those laying wreaths. Other Remembrance parades and salutes include ones in West Hallam and in Ockbrook.

Erewash Borough Council Leader Cllr Dawson said: “The remembrance events across the borough always draw big crowds and we expect this year to be no exception as we all unite in reflection – and show our deepest gratitude to those who went to war and never came home.”

A further opportunity to pay your respects will be on the following Tuesday – at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. This is when the nation holds a two-minute silence – and it will again see veterans gather to remember their comrades.