South Tyneside to Unite for Remembrance Services
Communities across South Tyneside are expected to pay tribute to the nation's war heroes at a series of Remembrance services this week.
A number of services and parades are being held to mark Armistice Day this Friday (11 November) and Remembrance Sunday (13 November),when civicdignitaries, veterans,their families and uniformed organisations will join members of the community to gather for quiet reflection.
The Mayor and Mayoress of South Tyneside, Councillor Pat Hay and Mrs Jean Copp will lead the tributes in South Shields on Remembrance Sunday, when a parade will leave South Shields Town Hall at 10.30am and march along Westoe Road to Westoe Cenotaph for a service at 10.55am.
Wreaths will be laid by His Majesty's Deputy Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, Wing Commander David L Harris, the Mayor and Mayoress of South Tyneside, South Shields MP Emma Lewell-Buck, Leader of South Tyneside Council Councillor Tracey Dixon and Chief Executive, Jonathan Tew.
The Mayor said: "It will be a great honour and privilege to attend this year's Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday services, to pay my respects on behalf of the local community and remember all those who have served their country.
"These events are occasions for people to come together for a quiet and dignified reflection to remember all those who have sacrificed so much for this country and given their lives for the freedom we enjoy today. It is also a chance to salute those armed forces personnel who are still on active service around the world today.
"We hope that people will attend one of the many events taking place across the Borough."
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, the First World War ended and people all over the world observed a two-minute silence to show their respect and to remember the fallen.
Remembrance Sunday takes place on the second Sunday of November each year to commemorate the sacrifices of members of the armed forces and of civilians in times of war, specifically since the First World War.
Traditionally poppies are worn as a symbol of remembrance and as a sign of respect and wreaths of poppies are laid on war memorials.
Full details of South Tyneside events are as follows: -
Armistice Day - Friday 11 November:
South Shields:
- 10:30am: Assemble at the Mission to Seafarers in Mill Dam and walk to the Merchant Navy Memorial for a service. Councillor Tracey Dixon will lay a wreath alongside other organisation and individuals.
- 10:50am: Assemble at War Memorial,West Park, for service. Deputy Mayoress, Mrs Lynne Blair and Councillor Anne Hetherington will lay wreaths alongside other organisations and individuals.
- 10:30am:Assemble at St Stephen's Church, Mile End Road, for a service. Councillor Lynne Proudlock will lay a wreath.
Monkton Village:
- 10:45am: Assemble at Lord Nelson pub before marching to the War Memorial in Monkton Village for a service at 10.55am. The Mayor Councillor Pat Hay will lay a wreath alongside other organisations and individuals.
Remembrance Sunday - 13 November:
South Shields:
- 10:15am: Parade will assemble on Beach Road at South Shields Town Hall before marching along Westoe Road to Westoe Cenotaph for service at 10:55am. Wreaths will be laid by the Mayor and Mayoress, Deputy Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, Wing Commander David L Harris, the Leader and Chief Executive of South Tyneside Council, alongside other organisations and individuals.
Jarrow:
- 10.30am: Parade assembles outside of Jarrow Town Hall in Grange Road, before marching to the War Memorial in Station Street for a service at 10.55am. Wreaths will be laid by the Deputy Lieutenant Farooq Hakim and Deputy Mayoress Mrs Lynne Blair and Cllr Jay Potts alongside other organisations and individuals.
Hebburn:
- 9.45am: Parade assembles at Hebburn Central before marching to St John's Church for a service at 10.15am. Parade reforms at 10.40am and marches to Carr Ellison Park for a short service at the War Memorial at 10.55am. Parade reforms once more and marches to Hebburn Cemetery for a short service at HMS Kelly Grave. Deputy Lieutenant Jeffrey Brown and Councillor Wilf Flynn will lay a wreath alongside other organisations and individuals.
Whitburn:
- 10.40am: Parade assembles at Whitburn Parish Church before moving off towards the War Memorial in Whitburn where a service will take place at 10.55am. Councillor Jane Carter will lay a wreath alongside other organisations and individuals. Parade will reform, marching back to Whitburn Parish Church for a service.
Cleadon:
- 10:50am: Service at Cleadon Village War Memorial in Front Street. Councillor Ian Forster will lay a wreath alongside other organisations and individuals.
East Boldon:
- 10:10am: Parade will assemble at Grey Horse pub car park, before marching to St George's Church for a short service at 10.35am. The parade will reassemble and march to the war memorial for a service at 10.55am. Councillor Joan Atkinson, Deputy Leader of South Tyneside Council, will lay a wreath alongside other organisations and individuals.
A series of temporary road closures and diversions will be in place during the services and parades. Drivers are asked to be patient when driving around to allow the parades to take place safely. Signs will be displayed across the Borough advising motorists of the closures.
For further information visit the Council's website at www.southtyneside.gov.uk