Civic Remembrance Service 2023

Once again St Paul’s was decked out with poppies in time for Remembrance weekend.  The Civic Service on the afternoon of the 12^th December was well attended, in spite of the atrocious weather. 

The service was led by the Venerable Penny Driver and the Rt Revd Nigel McCulloch, with contributions from clergy from the Methodist, United Reformed and Roman Catholic Churches.  The official guests included Mrs Suzie Bagot as Deputy Lieutenant  representing His Majesty the King, Roger Handley as Town Mayor, Tim Farron MP, Peter Endsor from the new Furness and Westmorland Council, and Judith Parrington representing the Royal British Legion.  The RBL standard was carried by Martin Wright and the Union Flag by Malcolm Logan.  Flags and banners were presented at the altar by local Cubs, Guides and Brownies, and the local Primary School, who also provided a choir to sing ‘Let there be peace on earth’.  Lessons were read by a teacher and governor from the School and the newly appointed Manager of the Victoria Hall, and the Mayor read out the names of the 52 local men who had lost their lives in the two World Wars.  27 wreaths were blessed at the altar, presented by members of the various local organisations in the community.  Perhaps the most poignant wreath was the one laid by a young girl from Ukraine. 

For the first time there was no parade down to the war memorial, but perhaps that was just as well bearing in mind the appalling weather conditions.  The congregation made their way down to the Ornamental Gardens where Flookburgh Silver Band were waiting, and a short ceremony included the Last Post and two minutes’ silence before the laying of the wreaths.