Thousands honour the fallen at Remembrance services across Gwent

THOUSANDS of people across Gwent paid their respects to those who have fought and died in conflict in the two world wars and since, at yesterday’s Remembrance Sunday events.

In Newport, more than 1,000 people turned out in the winter sun to a service at the city’s cenotaph, led by the Bishop of Monmouth the Richard Pain.

They watched as veterans, together with members of Gwent’s emergency services, city dignitaries and youngsters from groups such as the Air Cadets, Sea Cadets, Scouts and Brownies, marched from the city centre to Clarence Place.

City of Newport Pipes and Drums led the parade of around 500 people, which included a contingent from the Royal Navy patrol vessel HMS Severn, which is on a visit to its ‘twin’ city Newport.

Standards were lowered to the sound of the Last Post, and the firing of Royal Artillery guns on Town Bridge, prompting a two-minute silence.

Around 50 wreaths were then laid by representatives of the Newport Royal British Legion, the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force and Merchant Navy.

The Islamic Society of Wales, mayor of Newport Cliff Suller, city councillors, Newport AMs, the Lord Lieutenant for Gwent and the High Sheriff for Gwent also laid wreaths.

Wreaths were also laid by Newport East MP Jessica Morden and on behalf of Newport West MP Paul Flynn.

Following a rendition of God Save the Queen and Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, the parade returned to High Street, amid applause from the crowd.

Organisers said numbers taking part were up on last year.

Regimental Sergeant Major of the 104 Regiment Royal Artillery Daniel Felton acted as parade marshal at his last parade ahead of leaving the Army.

“What’s really good is that there are lots of veterans and lots of youngsters here, and that’s really important,” he said.

l In Torfaen, Remembrance parades and services were held in Cwmbran, Pontnewydd, Panteg, Henllys, Pontypool, Pontnewynydd, Blaenavon, New Inn, and Abersychan at Garn Wen Mountain.

In Pontypool, hundreds of people lined the streets to watch the parade from Commercial Street to the Memorial Gates for a service and wreath-laying ceremony.

Mayor of Torfaen Neil Mason, Torfaen MP Paul Murphy, Lynne Neagle AM, the leader of Torfaen council Bob Wellington and the chairman of Pontypool Community Council Giles Davies laid wreaths.

The service was led by Canon Brian Pippen, the rector of Pontypool.

Pontypool Brass Band sounded The Last Post, while paying their respects were members of the Guides, Brownies, Scouts and Badgers.

In Blaenavon, more than 300 people attended the parade and service at the cenotaph in the town.

This was preceded by the dedication of a replacement plaque for Private Jeffrey Jones from the town, who lost his life on active service in Northern Ireland in 1979.

His parents laid the first of more than 50 wreaths.

A service at St Peter’s Church led by Rev Dr Jason Bray followed, with readings by young people, before the parade was dismissed at the Workmen’s Hall.

Blaenavon mayor Gareth Davies said: “It is always inspiring and humbling to see the level of support the people of Blaenavon give to Remembrance day.

“I welcome the continued commitment.

“I was particularly pleased to see so many young people present.”

A Service of Remembrance will be held today (Armistice Day) at 11am at Pontypool Park Memorial Gates.

In Caldicot, around 100 people watched the parade from Jubilee car park to St Mary’s Church for a Remembrance service at 10.30am.

A sunset service then took place at the Celtic Cross at 4pm led by Rev Lyndon Harrison. Caldicot mayor Alan Davies, who laid a wreath at both services, said: “The Remembrance service was as successful as previous years and it was well supported.”

Newport West AM and assembly presiding officer Rosemary Butler laid a wreath at the Wales National War Memorial in Alexandra Gardens, Cardiff, at the National Service of Remembrance for Wales yesterday.

Dozens turned out to the Pontllanfraith annual Remembrance service on Saturday, held outside Pontllanfraith House.

The rain held off for the memorial service which was attended by parents and children, veterans, army cadets and relatives of servicemen and women on active duty.

Representatives from politics, including deputy mayor of Caerphilly David Carter, the Army, air force, merchant navy, Royal British Legion, the Royal Welsh Association, the Blackwood detachment of the Gwent and Powys Army Cadet Force, ex-servicemen, the Women’s Institute, the Inner Wheel, Gwent Police, St John’s Ambulance, the Scouts, Cubs and Beavers, school children and dozens of members of the public all laid wreaths or placed poppies on the memorial.

Among those who laid wreaths at the war memorial were Chris Evans, MP for Islwyn, and 13 children from the 1st Sirhowy Beavers, Cubs and Scouts led by Ian Haywood, group scout leader.

“This is part of the children’s faith badge and we have taught them how the Scouts played a big part in the World Wars,” said Mr Haywood.

“It goes towards their community work as well.”

Meanwhile Mr Evans said: “It is great to see school children attending and remembering why we are marching.”

A parade assembled at the Old Duffryn School site at 10.20am, proceeding to the war memorial for the remembrance service at 10.45am.

Joseph Pritchard BEM, president of the Blackwood branch of the Royal British Legion, said there was a better turnout than in previous years, but added that many of the branch’s longest serving members had recently died.

“In the last few years we have lost a chairman, two standard bearers and two presidents,” said Mr Pritchard, 79, who joined up aged 19 and served in the Royal Army Service Corps and the Ordnance Corps for 35 years, reaching the rank of staff sergeant major.

There was also a Saturday service in Cwm, led by Pastor Phil Harris.

A Remembrance Day service is due to take place in Magor Square tomorrow at 11am.