Remembrance 2022: Hundreds gather to pay their respects

Hundreds of people gathered at churches, cenotaphs, war memories on Remembrance Sunday (November 13).

In Abergele, a remembrance parade and service was held.

Gwrych Castle, near Abergele, glowed red to remember the fallen. 

Bev Baker, founder trustee at Gwyrch Castle Preservation Trust, said: "We turned 'red' for Remembrance at Gwrych Castle all through the Remembrance commemorative weekend.

"Deacon Linda Brown attended from St Paul's Church in Abergele and a service and blessing of the Gwrych Castle Poppy Cascade took place with the public.

"We support the Royal British Legion. We collect and hope to do very much more next year.

"With more roof cover we can do much more work and we support as many other registered charities as we can."

Stunning handmade poppy casade at Gwrych Castle. Picture: Submitted (Image: Submitted)

In Towyn and Kinmel Bay, cllr Geoffrey Corry, mayor, laid a wreath at the Community Resource Centre. Earlier in the day, cllr Corry had attended a service at St Mary’s and laid a wreath there.

Councillor Geoffrey Corry laid a wreath for the first time at the Community Resource Centre in Kinmel Bay. (Image: Submitted by Nigel Smith)

The Resource Centre had been illuminated in red and a new 'Lest we Forget' Armed Forces Bench has been installed in front of the building's flagpole.

Kinmel Bay's Community Resource Centre was illuminated in red. (Image: Submitted by Nigel Smith)

In Rhuddlan, a parade was formed. This was led by the Rhyl Marching Band and Prestatyn Air Training Corps (ATC). Councillors, Brownies, Cubs, Scouts, Rainbows and representatives from organisations and clubs followed.

Steve Wilson, Rhuddlan Town Clerk, said: "The parade marched down High Street in bright sunshine to St Mary’s Parish Church.

In Rhuddlan, Reg Davies reading out the names with Mayor Mike Elgin next to him and Chair of Denbighshire County Council next to Mike (and a young man from Prestatyn ATC) (Image: Submitted)

"A very thoughtful service was then held and led by Reverend Jayne Coxall. Reg Davies read out the names of all the men from Rhuddlan who tragically lost their lives in the two world wars."

The parade then marched from St Mary’s Church up Castle Street past Rhuddlan Castle and returned down Parliament Street where 27 wreaths were laid at the Rhuddlan Memorial at the Community Centre.

People as well as young people from various organisations gather together to honour the fallen during a church service in Rhuddlan (Image: Submitted)

In Rhyl, a service took place at St Thomas’ Church. A parade then formed and proceeded to the Garden of Remembrance on East Parade. Here, a short service was held as well as wreath laying.

There was some complaints raised by readers in regard to timings.

It was claimed, due to minor delays, the mayor, cllr Diane King, did her speech during the time the traditionally two-minute silence is held at 11am.

Richard Kendrick, Poppy Appeal fundraiser in Rhyl for the Royal British Legion, said: "The parade was late. A lot of people didn't get to the gardens for 11am. Upon entering the gardens, the mayor waited and then walked up to the memorial and gave her speech.

Wreaths were laid in the Garden of Remembrance. Mario Jovan Jones (Image: Mario Jovan Jones)

"The mayor spoke from about 10.59am. We had the silence about 11.02am. As the speech ran into the silence, everything then had to be done after 11.02am. The silence was about 11.02am or 11.03am and not 11am. Some won't notice but the lads did.

"I'd like to say thank you to Reverend Chris [Spencer] who tried to keep things going.

"There were children playing in the gardens between the ponds. Nobody stopped them."

Rhyl Town Council said they were aware of comments, both "positive and negative", following the annual service of Remembrance.

A spokesperson added: "This year saw a significant number of participants in the town’s Remembrance Sunday Parade which took time to form up safely prior to preceding to the Garden of Remembrance which did have an impact on the timings.

"Every effort is made to strive to keep to the running order and timings at the Garden."

RELATED STORIES

• Remembrance 2022: Claims silence was broken sparks upset in Rhyl
• Remembrance 2022: Services and events Denbighshire and Conwy

"Unfortunately, due to time constraints the mayor’s full speech had to be shortened if time had permitted, the mayor would have liked to have had the opportunity to provide a more extensive address.

"Regrettably a couple of children were playing on the grassed area and were advised to refrain from doing so in a discreet manner in order not to detract from the Remembrance Service. It is unfortunate that the children had not be made aware of the importance of the day.

"The town council appreciates the assistance of all those involved in organising the Annual Remembrance Sunday Service and wishes to thank all those who attend to show their respects."

Cllr King said: "As mayor of Rhyl I attach notable importance to do my best for the people of Rhyl on all occasions and particularly such a poignant day as Remembrance Sunday.

"I have the utmost respect for the significance of the day and all those veterans who paid the ultimate sacrifice whether through conflict or subsequent causes."

In Prestatyn and Meliden a wreath laying took place at Meliden Memorial. This was followed by a church service.

People paid their respects to the fallen during a church service in Prestatyn. Picture: Gareth Davies (Image: Gareth Davies, MS)

There was a procession / parade in the afternoon. At 3pm, Rev David Ash, held a service at Christ Church and wreath laying followed.

Cllr Tina Jones, mayor of Prestatyn and Meliden, said: “I was honoured and very moved to attend the various Acts of Remembrance in Prestatyn and Meliden, to lay wreaths in memory of local men and women who lost their lives in the first and second world wars.

The parade in Prestatyn on Remembrance Sunday. Picture: Gareth Davies, MS (Image: Gareth Davies, MS)

"I was so very impressed by the contributions to these events by young and old alike."

In St Asaph, a service was held at St Asaph Cathedral.

This was followed by a procession to the war memorial where individuals and organisations were invited to lay wreaths.

Gareth Davies, MS for Vale of Clwyd, attended remembrance proceedings in St Asaph and Prestatyn.

He said: "It was a pleasure to take part in proceedings. In addition to this, I attended the Armistice Day service at Rhyl Memorial Gardens and what I observed is how communities come together in all towns, cities and villages to remember the people from Denbighshire who have sacrificed their lives to protect the democracy and freedoms we hold so dear today.

St Asaph Cathedral was decorated beautifully for Remembrance Sunday. Picture: Gareth Davies, MS (Image: Gareth Davies, MS)

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the hard work and dedication of the local Royal British Legion branches and everyone who contributed to making a success in remembering the fallen in Denbighshire."