THE Garden of Remembrance in Newport has been officially opened as part of a number of events in the lead up to Remembrance Sunday, and to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

Dozens of neat, dedicated white crosses are planted in the garden, in Clarence Place - and attendees yesterday took the opportunity to plant smaller versions there in memory of individuals, and of all those who have lost their lives in conflict on land, at sea and in the air.

The event was attended by veterans of the armed services, councillors and council officials, including leader councillor Debbie Wilcox and Mayor councillor Malcolm Linton, and also present was a delegation of children from the city's Maindee Primary School.

The Reverend Kevin Beardmore, chaplain to the Royal British Legion, conducted a brief service before a two-minute silence was observed impeccably against the background murmur of mid-morning traffic.

The Last Post was also sounded as flags and standards were lowered.

The Mayor, who led the wreath-laying ceremony, said: "This garden and out attendance provides us with an opportunity to remember and pay our respects to those men and women who have had their lives taken away."

The Garden of Remembrance will form a poignant backdrop next Sunday, November 11, to the city’s annual Remembrance Sunday service, which will take place at the adjacent Cenotaph from 11am.

This will be preceded by a parade which will begin in the High Street at 10.30am.

Caerleon will also host a service next Sunday, at the town war memorial from 10.30am.

A number of other Remembrance events are being staged in and around the city this week, including a Flowers for the Fallen exhibition at Nash Village Hall and St Mary’s Church, Nash, to commemorate the 70 soldiers who went to fight in the war from the villages of Whitson, Goldcliff and Nash ,and to honour the six soldiers who did not return.

The exhibition is open from 11am-4pm from Thursday November 8 until Saturday November 10, and from 10.30am-12.30pm on Sunday November 11.

There will also be a Remembrance Service in Nash Church at 2.30pm next Sunday, to be followed by a ‘peace tea’ in the adjoining village hall.