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A time to remember


By Kyle Ritchie



Remembrance Services, Remembrance Sunday, World War I
Remembrance Services, Remembrance Sunday, World War I

THE sacrifice of members of the armed forces who gave their lives in World War I will be remembered in a range of events next month commemorating the centenary of the end of the conflict.

Communities across Banffshire will be holding special services throughout the first weeks of November.

They will involve schools, churches, groups and people of all ages which will remember the armistice of 1918.

Deputy Lord Lieutenant Andrew Simpson, who has been organising the events said: "Over the last few months, events to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the Great War have been planned and organised in the Banff, Gardenstown and Macduff areas.

"As well as numerous individuals, groups involved have included the local churches, the local schools, the community councils, uniformed youth organisations, members of the Royal British Legion and Aberdeenshire Council."

The events will begin on Saturday, November 3 at Macduff Primary School from 2pm-4pm which will include a display of pupils' work from their project on World War I; a display of Banff Academy pupils' work; an exhibition by Macduff Heritage Society; knitted poppies; pupils reading their poems and other writings based on their project; Royal British Legion colours; the opportunity to take part in early 20th-century children's games; the Local Vocals group leading the singing of wartime favourites; fitness activities and games from the early 20th century; and refreshments.

The programme of activities will continue on Friday, November 9 at 11am when the Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire Clare Russell (CVO) will be joining Bracoden Primary School pupils to lay a wreath at the war memorial in the Gamrie churchyard.

Afterwards she will be visiting Bracoden School to hear about the pupils' research of the names on the war memorial and other activities.

At 2pm she will then visit Macduff Primary School to hear about the pupils' research of the names on the Macduff war memorial followed by a wreath laying at the memorial.

On Saturday, November 10 from 1pm-3pm there will be a gathering at Gardenstown harbour where a wreath will be laid at the memorial for VC Joseph Watt.

Teas will be served in Harbucks and the Heritage Centre will be open following a renovation. Bracoden pupils' work will be on display and copies of the book on their research into the names on the war memorial will be available for sale, with all profits going to school funds.

On Remembrance Sunday the events will begin at 6am with bagpipers playing the Battle's O'er at Banff and Macduff war memorials.

At 10am poppy wreaths will be laid at Banff and Macduff war memorials and at 10.45am wreaths will be laid at the Whitehills war memorial.

The Remembrance Day services at local churches will start at 10.50am, followed by the laying of wreaths at the Longmanhill war memorial at 1pm and at the Banff Strike Wing memorial at 3pm.

A joint event at Banff Bridge, organised by Banff and Macduff parish churches and River Church, will be held at 6.30pm and will include the reading of contemporary poems by Banff Academy and Banff and Macduff primary school pupils

The Last Post will be performed at 6.58pm before the lighting of beacons at the Temple of Venus in Macduff and Banff primary schools and members of the public lighting glowsticks.

The events will conclude with the ringing of church bells at 7.05pm.

As part of the commemoration members and friends of Banff and King Edward parish churches have knitted and crocheted more than 7000 poppies which will be displayed at various locations throughout the weekend of November 9 and 11. These will be at Banff Parish Church, the VC Joseph Watt memorial at Gardenstown and on the grass slope below the Macduff cross and anchor and at the entrance to Myrus cemetery.

A number of prominent buildings are also expected to be lit in red as part of a national initiative organised by Poppy Scotland.

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