Hundreds of service children attend Festival of Remembrance at Ripon Cathedral

Hundreds of service children from North Yorkshire came together for an annual Festival of Remembrance at Ripon Cathedral on Monday (November 9).

The service honoured members of the armed forces and celebrated the contribution of children from military families.

The ceremony, which is in its 14th year, was organised by North Yorkshire Council’s service children’s champion, Angela Campbell.

This year’s theme of “belonging” reflected the shared experiences, resilience and connections that unite service children despite the challenges that can come with military life.

More than 600 children and young people from 29 schools in the county took part.

Children's artwork also took centre stage through a You Belong Here exhibition featuring self-portraits created by 355 service pupils from 25 schools across North Yorkshire. Representing around one in 10 of the county's service child population, the exhibition celebrates individuality while highlighting the common experiences that connect military children.

Pupils from Carnagill Primary School also wrote poems exploring the theme of belonging, which formed part of the exhibition.

The council’s executive member for children and families, Cllr Janet Sanderson, who attended the service, said: 

Musicians from Ripon Grammar School accompanied the hymns, while young members of Service Children’s Community Choir performed a choral rendition of “If You Hadn’t Been There” by the late Dolly Parton.

Council chief executive Richard Flinton, military leaders, civic dignitaries and education partners were among those attending.

Guests also included Deputy Lord Lieutenant for North Yorkshire Countess Peel and the Dean of Ripon, the Very Rev John Dobson.