HUNDREDS gathered in Bettws yesterday for the 13th annual memorial service to remember those who died in September 11, and in conflicts across the world.

This year special tributes were paid to Bettws in Bloom’s former chairman and memorial service organiser, Colin Baker, who died this year.

The peace and reconciliation service was held at Bettws shopping centre and saw pupils from four different Newport schools read messages and a reading from the Gospel.

The service was first held in 2002 following the bombing of the twin towers in New York and now continues to encourage peace around the world.

This year, the service also featured mention of the ongoing refugee crisis and the mayor of Newport, councillor Herbie Thomas, urged people to 'go away and help anyone who may be a refugee in Newport soon'.

Pupils from Newport High School, Monnow Primary, Millbrook Primary and Ysgol Gymraeg Ifor Hael gave readings and said prayers.

It was the first service not to have been attended by Colin Baker, who spent 16 years working with Bettws in Bloom and who helped set up the annual service.

Ann Royle, who has taken over as chairman of Bettws in Bloom, said: “It’s very large boots to fill. Colin and his wife worked very very hard for 16 years.

“This was Colin’s baby. He started this in the beginning and we did it every year.

“This year it’s not been so easy, he was starting to get it all together before he passed away so it was a bit of a scrabble at the end."

Canon Henry Davies, of St David's Church, Bettws, led the ceremony and The Bettws in Bloom Entertainment Group performed Can You Feel the Love Tonight and You Raise Me Up.

Members of the Newport branch of the Royal Welsh Regimental Association were part of the service.

The mayor, Mr Thomas, said: “If you really think about it, a lot of good words were said in a very short time. But it means nothing if you don’t walk away and mean it."