CUMBRIA is preparing for Remembrance Day in a few days, including two leading transport companies in the county.

Stagecoach has shown off their newly painted buses, now adorned with a decal of a red poppy to signify remembrance.

These buses will be running throughout Cumbria, including Carlisle and West Cumbria.

Stagecoach’s branded bus will be on the road throughout November and Alan Whitmore, a community fundraiser for the Royal British Legion in Cumbria and the Isle of Man, says it is invaluable advertising for the charity’s work.

He said: “We can’t afford commercial rates of advertising so for Stagecoach to offer this is tremendous.

“It’s a gift-in-kind of fabulous generosity.

“This bus will be seen by thousands of people, in towns, cities and rural communities, raising awareness of the work we do.”

Northern are doing their bit too, with the train operator offering complimentary travel this weekend – including Friday, November 11 – across the entire network for service personnel.  

Those wearing an armed forces uniform or carrying a military ID card, as well as cadets in uniform and veterans who display valid identification (such as the Ministry Of Defense issued Veteran's Badge) will be entitled to free travel on all Northern services.  

The hundreds of licensed poppy sellers, who have been volunteering in the lead up to this weekend, will also be able to take advantage of the offer.  

Elsewhere on the network Northern staff and community groups will pay their own tributes to the armed forces. 

Community groups have been busy decorating stations where bunting and poppies are on display as well as Wetheral and Nunthorpe in the Northeast.  

At Aspatria station, a display of crocheted poppies now adorns the northbound platform, created by local volunteers.  

In Carlisle, the city council and RBL announced the laying of poppy crosses on war graves even at Carlisle cemetery on Thursday, November 10, and 11am.

Carlisle’s Mayor, Mike Mitchelson, will be taking part in laying over 300 crosses on every war grave at the cemetery.

Later that day, a festival of remembrance will be held at 6:30pm, involving veterans and schoolchildren at St Cuthbert’s Church (this event is ticketed, but tickets are available for free from the tourist information centre.

For West Cumbria, there will be parades marching through Harrington and Workington.

The Workington parade will start from Pow Street on Sunday at 2pm, ending up at Vulcan Park for a wreath-laying ceremony.

The Harrington parade will start at the RBL centre at 9:30am on Sunday and head to St Mary’s Church for a service at 10am.