Large crowds are expected in Harrogate town centre on Sunday for the annual Remembrance Day service and parade.

The event is always a major occasion, with road closures and large crowds gathering around the war memorial to pay their respects and observe a two-minute silence.

But this year’s activities will be especially poignant as it coincides with the 100th anniversary of the town’s war memorial, which was unveiled by Henry Lascelles, the 6th Earl of Harewood, on September 1, 1923.

It cost £12,000 and contains the names of 1,163 men and women who died in two world wars.

Sunday also marks the end of the Cenotaph Centenary — a programme of events since the start of September commemorating the centenary.

You Must Remember This, which is being held tonight at the West Park United Reformed Church, will feature military-themed music by three choirs.

Attention will then turn to Sunday’s Remembrance Day activities.

Service at the war memorial

Crowds are invited to gather at the war memorial from 10am.

The service will commence at 10.50am, followed by the two-minute silence at 11am.

Wreaths will be laid, the Kohima epitaph will be read the and the reveille will play.

The memorial was built in 1923.

Road closures

North Yorkshire Council has said the following roads will be closed on Sunday from 8:30am to 1pm to facilitate the parade and service:

Cheltenham Crescent, Oxford Street, Union Street, Parliament Street, Albert Street, Prospect Place, James Street, John Street, Princes Street, Cambridge Crescent, and Cambridge Road.

Only one lane will be open on West Park during the parade.

A full list of services across the district is available here.

Read more:

• Remembrance Day: A guide to services in the Harrogate district
• Last Post marks 100th anniversary of Harrogate war memorial

A Harrogate funeral directors has appealed for pictures of army veterans to help commemorate Remembrance Day.

Neil and Sonya Milsted Funeral Directors, which is based on Hookstone Chase, plans to put up a window display featuring old photographs of servicemen this year.

Ms Milsted told the Stray Ferret that she had appealed to the community to submit pictures of their loved ones who served in the armed forces to be featured.

The funeral directors puts on a remembrance display every year. However, this year Ms Milsted said she wanted to try something different.

She said:

“I am looking for photos of people who have served in any of the forces or are still serving to display on an easel in our window for Remembrance Day. 

“Every year we make an effort to remember those who we have lost and this year I would like local people to help by sending us photos.”

The pictures can be submitted via email on info@nandsmilsted.co.uk or scanned and brought into the funeral directors.

Read more:

• Police defend decision to end Remembrance Day traffic management
• Andrew Jones MP urges police to continue Remembrance Day traffic management

North Yorkshire Police has defended its decision to stop providing Remembrance Day traffic management.

Thirty-two smaller Remembrance Day parades in the county will be affected annually from this year.

They include the one organised by Knaresborough Royal British Legion, whose vice-chair David Houlgate warned this week it could prevent the town’s annual parade going ahead.

Assistant chief constable Elliot Foskett said it was a “difficult but lawful decision”, adding:

“Under the Traffic Management Act 2004, which placed the responsibility on the local authority and event organisers, the larger Remembrance Day events in our area have utilised traffic management companies to ensure public safety.

“However, for many years, North Yorkshire Police has continued to provide a traffic management function to the smaller Remembrance Day events.”

ACC Foskett said the force was acting on legislation as well as guidance from the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the College of Policing that policing should not take responsibility for closing roads or managing traffic, other than in an emergency.

He added:

“This is to make sure police resources remain focused on tackling crime and anti-social behaviour.

“With immediate effect, North Yorkshire Police has repositioned to fully comply and will not be undertaking routine traffic management for any Remembrance Day events in 2023 and in subsequent years.”

Read more:

• Local Remembrance Sunday parades under threat after police withdraw traffic help
• Andrew Jones MP urges police to continue Remembrance Day traffic management

ACC Foskett said police were “working closely with North Yorkshire Council and City of York Council to assist the affected event organisers to put in place the necessary arrangements in time for November, including obtaining a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order”.

The senior police officer, who is also a forces veteran, added:

“The upset caused by this change is fully understandable, but it is categorically wrong to suggest North Yorkshire Police no longer supports Remembrance Day.

“We simply could not continue to act outside of the legislation and national police guidance.”

He said officers would still lay wreaths at services and were “proud to pay our respects as we have throughout our history”.

Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative MP Andrew Jones said he was “surprised and disappointed” by the decision and has called for a rethink.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has called for police to continue providing traffic management for Remembrance Day parades.

North Yorkshire Police confirmed yesterday it will no longer close roads or manage traffic for Remembrance Day parades in the county.

Knaresborough Royal British Legion has said its annual parade along the High Street is in jeopardy as a result of the decision, which could threaten other local parades on November 12 and in subsequent years.

Elliot Foskett, North Yorkshire’s assistant chief constable, said the decision was based on national guidance that will allow police to focus on fighting crime.

Conservative MP Mr Jones today called for a rethink. He said:

“This decision from North Yorkshire Police has taken everyone by surprise. I am both surprised and disappointed.

“Every year in Harrogate, Knaresborough, Starbeck and further afield hundreds line the streets to watch parades to war memorials.  Simply put, it is part of the fabric and tradition of our community remembrance.

“I have contacted Zoë Metcalfe, police, fire and crime commissioner, asking her to speak with the leadership at North Yorkshire Police and reinstate the force’s assistance with closing roads to allow parades to take place.”

Lib Dem leader criticises ‘outrageous’ decision

Councillor Pat Marsh, the Liberal Democrat leader in Harrogate and Knaresborough, described the police’s decision as “outrageous”.

She has also written to Conservative Ms Metcalfe.

Cllr Pat Marsh

Cllr Marsh’s letter says:

“This seems a ridiculous decision and I really hope you reverse it, nobody I have spoken to can understand the logic behind your decision.

“Please can you reconsider this so we can all pay our respects safely  to those who gave their lives for our freedom?

“How will we be able to pay our respects to those who gave their lives so we can live freely today? This proposal is outrageous and I wonder where else in the country that people are not bring kept safe as they pay their respects to these very brave individuals who gave their lives.”

Read more:

• Local Remembrance Sunday parades under threat after police withdraw traffic help
• North Yorkshire Police confirms it will no longer manage Remembrance Day traffic

From Ripon Cathedral to Knaresborough Fire Station, people fell silent for two minutes across the Harrogate district today to pay their respects to the war dead.

Thousands of people stood 20-deep in the fog around the war memorial in Harrogate for the traditional parade and outdoor service.

Thousands of people also gathered at Spa Gardens and on nearby streets in Ripon, where services were held at the war memorial and in Ripon Cathedral.

Ripon Spa Gardens

Starbeck observed a minute’s silence at 11am before the main ceremony at 3pm.

Starbeck war memorial

Further afield, Junior soldiers from Harrogate’s Army Foundation College took part in a Remembrance Sunday service at Merville Battery, France, as part of a trip learning  about the Normandy invasion.

Junior soldiers from Harrogate in France today. Pic: Matt Allen / MOD Crown Copyright 2022

Besides the formal ceremonies, many people took time out of their day to observe the two-minute silence.

Firefighters at Knaresborough lined up to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Knaresborough Fire Station

It marked the culmination of commemorations, which started with a minute’s silence on Friday. November 11 at 11am.

Pateley Bridge, which traditionally holds its main service on the 11th whatever the day, did so again this year.

Harrogate’s Ashville College also held a service on Friday before students and staff, along with members of the governing body and former pupils, gathered in front of the memorial to hold a two-minute silence and to lay wreaths and poppies.

Of the 300 former Ashvillians called up in the First World War, 38 died in the conflict. Eight of those were killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.

In the Second World War, 465 former pupils and teachers volunteered for the forces, and of those 59 were killed.

Ashville College

Harrogate Poppy Appeal is urgently searching for volunteers to help out with the distribution and collection of poppies.

This year organisers from the Royal British Legion aim to deliver an appeal on a similar level to pre-covid, with a full delivery schedule and street collections.

They will be operating a poppy office and distribution centre from Harrogate fire station from October 20 for pick-up of stock and wreaths between 10am and 2pm.

About 600 boxes of poppies need delivering from there to selected retail outlets by November 1. From November 14, the boxes will need to be collected.

Read more:

• Knaresborough flowerbed marks Royal British Legion centenary
• Royal British Legion’s Nidderdale branch in danger of closure

Michael Comerford, Poppy Appeal organiser, told the Stray Ferret its number of volunteers had dwindled during covid and it was hoping to recruit about a dozen people who are able to drive around the district distributing and collecting boxes of poppies. He added:

“We are desperate for new and old volunteers to help out in distribution and collection of retail poppy boxes from October 20 and collecting back in from Monday, November 14.

“We are also looking for street collectors from Thursday, October 27 to Saturday, November 12.

“We have cadets from all three services on the streets on Saturday, November 5 and 12, plus junior soldiers on the 12th.”

The Poppy Appeal will be opening Garden of Remembrance, which will allow people to place small remembrance crosses near the war memorial in central Harrogate, from 11am on Friday, October 28 and will be observing a two-minute silence on Armistice Day – 11/11/22 – with the sounding of the last post at the memorial.

To volunteer email poppyharrogate@gmail.com or call 07935 596762.

Events are happening across the Harrogate district this week to mark Remembrance Day and the centenary of the Royal British Legion.

The pandemic reduced last year’s commemorations to small scale events but this year organisers are encouraging people to attend services and parades to remember those who have given their lives.

Below is a list of events. If you know of others that we have missed let us know so we can add them to this guide. Email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Sunday November 14

Harrogate

Harrogate War Memorial:

A service at the war memorial will begin at 10.30am before a two-minute silence is observed. Local dignitaries, members of the armed forces and community groups will attend and lay wreaths.

Harrogate Borough Council has asked those attending to social distance and wear face masks if possible.

Stonefall Cemetery:

Harrogate Brigantes Rotary has arranged a service for 1pm. Wreaths will be laid by the Harrogate Mayor and Mayoress, Andrew Jones MP, the Army Foundation College and representatives from the Commonwealth.

St Mark’s Church, Leeds Road

Remembrance services on at 9am and 10.30am.

Killinghall:

A Remembrance Sunday service will take place at St Thomas’s Church, Killinghall at 10am. Members of the public are invited to join staff and junior soldiers from the Army Foundation College.

At approximately 10.40am the congregation we will walk to the war memorial on Ripon Road for a short Act of Remembrance service followed by refreshments at the village hall.

Starbeck:

A service will be held later in the afternoon on Sunday. A parade will start at Starbeck Methodist Church at 2.40pm to arrive at the war memorial for a service at 3pm.

Knaresborough

The Knaresborough branch of the Royal British Legion has organised a parade on Remembrance Sunday.

A church service at St John’s Church will begin at 9.30am on Sunday. Then a parade of the Knaresborough Royal British Legion standard will march up the High Street towards the castle grounds for a short service at the war memorial at 11am.

Ripon

Ripon’s Remembrance Sunday service is held at the city’s war memorial, followed by a service at the cathedral.

Those wishing to attend are asked to assemble at Spa Gardens from 10.30am. Around 300 troops are expected to attend alongside local dignitaries and the city’s branch of the Royal British Legion.

Following the service, there will be a march past and salute in front of Ripon Town Hall, with the procession leading to the cathedral, where a further service will be held.

Read more:

• Ceremony marks start of remembrance events in Ripon
• Knaresborough’s 30,000 knitted poppies honour the dead

Masham 

In Masham, a small service will be held on the market square. People are being asked to congregate from 10.30am.

Boroughbridge 

The Boroughbridge branch of the Royal British Legion has organised a service of remembrance and wreath laying at the town’s war memorial on the Butermarket led by Rev Karen Gardiner.

People are invited to start arriving from 10.30am. There will be no parade this year.

The site around Knaresborough Castle has been covered with 30,000 knitted poppies to commemorate Remembrance Day and the centenary of the Royal British Legion.

The Knaresborough branch of the RBL worked with Harrogate Borough Council to install the poppies yesterday.

The poppies will remain in place until Remembrance Sunday on November 14.

Last year’s remembrance commemorations were reduced due to covid so the Knaresborough branch was determined to do something special this year.

The 30,000 knitted poppies have been created over the past two years by local women’s institutes, craft groups and individuals who have spent hours supporting the project.

Photograph: Sharon van Zelst

More poppies are set to adorn the castle next Wednesday when 1.500 poppies made by children from five Knaresborough primary schools using recycled petals from last year’s wreaths will be added to the display.

The branch will also hold a stall at next Wednesday’s market to raise funds for the RBL.

Read more:

• Ripon remembers with 75,000 poppies
• The poppies blow in a field near Knaresborough

There will be a small service at the war memorial at 11am on November 11. But the town’s main commemoration will be on Remembrance Sunday, November 14.

The main event will begin with a church service at St John’s Church at 9.30am followed by the parading of the Knaresborough Royal British Legion standard up the High Street to the memorial for a short service at 11am.

Photograph: Sharon van Zelst

Photographs: Sharon van Zelst

Photograph: Sharon van Zelst

Knaresborough Castle is to be covered in 30,000 knitted poppies as part of this year’s Remembrance Day commemorations.

The Knaresborough branch of the Royal British Legion has organised the poppy display to mark the armed forces charity’s centenary.

Last year’s remembrance commemorations were reduced due to covid so the Knaresborough branch was determined to do something big this year.

The 30,000 knitted poppies have been collected over the past two years from local women’s institutes, craft groups and individuals who have spent hours supporting the project.

The poppies will be installed onto the castle from November 2 and remain there until November 15.

Children from five Knaresborough primary schools are making 1,500 poppies using recycled petals from last year’s wreaths.

Large scale silhouette figures of the classic British ‘Tommy’ and modern service personnel will also be displayed along with a dog, to commemorate the sacrifice animals have played in conflict.

The lamppost poppies and flags will also make a comeback to the Market Square.

Read more:

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This year also marks to return of Poppy Appeal collectors, who raise funds for the RBL. The Knaresborough branch has put out a plea for more volunteers to sell poppies in Lidl and Marks & Spencer.

Knaresborough branch may not survive

Previously, the branch has warned it may not last much longer if more members can’t be found.

David Houlgate, the vice chair of the Knaresborough branch, said:

“There is a real danger that the branch in Knaresborough may not see out another five years, let alone another 100.

“The branch is now down to just a handful of active members and the concern is that the Knaresborough ‘standard’ that is strikingly visible at Remembrance events and the annual Remembrance parade through the town, will have to be laid up if new members cannot be found.”

Mr Houlgate emphasised that anyone can join the RBL, they don’t have to have served in the military.

To volunteer or become a member call Alan Pitchfork, chair, on 07984700429.

Remembrance Day was commemorated differently this year because of covid but residents across the Harrogate district still paid their respects to those who lost their lives in battle.

Although annual services and parades were unable to go ahead, people held two-minute silences at home and some paid their respects at war memorials.

In Harrogate …

After a two-minute silence and the playing of the Last Post by a single bugler, pupils and a small number of staff from Ashville College laid wreaths at the school’s on-site war memorial.

The rest of the college participated in the annual commemoration from their classrooms.

Upper sixth pupils and joint heads of school Niamh Boyle (left) and Massimiliano Ernesto Nobile (right) with year 6 pupil Taylor Henderson (centre).

Local people congregated at the Harrogate war memorial at 11am yesterday for the two-minute silence.

On Sunday members of the Harrogate Brigantes Rotary Club gathered at Stonefall Cemetary. A small service was led by Rev. David Hoskins.

Photograph: Guy Wilson.

Rotarian Manuel Camacho laying a wreath. Photograph: Guy Wilson.

In Ripon …

On Sunday, the Ripon branch of the Royal British Legion and standard bearers representing the Royal Navy, Royal Engineers and Royal Air Force, stood at the war memorial in Spa Gardens.

Local MP Julian Smith and the Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Eamon Parkin, laid wreaths in the mist.

Yesterday, about 40 people gathered at social distance outside Ripon Cathedral at 11am to observe the two-minute silence. Prayers after the silence were led by the Dean of Ripon, The Very Revd John Dobson.

In Pateley Bridge …

The chair of Nidderdale Chamber of Trade, Tim Ledbetter, laid a wreath on behalf of the chamber.

Elsewhere …

At the North Yorkshire County Council’s offices in Northallerton, Cllr Jim Clark laid a wreath.