Carlisle falls silents at city centre service on Remembrance Sunday

106 years after the ceasefire that ended World War One took hold, Carlisle fell silent at 11 am on Sunday, November 10 to remember armed service personnel past and present who have laid down their lives in service of the United Kingdom in wars all over the globe.

The service took on special significance just months after Carlisle had marked the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings at Normandy in June 1944. 

Carlisle fell silent in Remembrance as The Last Post was played. (Image: Matthew O'Hara/NQ) At the remembrance service, a two-minute silence was impeccably observed in memory of the fallen, with addresses also given by The Very Reverend Jonathan Brewster, Dean of Carlisle and The Reverend Lisa Moore Wilson, president of Churches Together Carlisle and District.

(Image: Matthew O'Hara/NQ) The 2024 service also featured a first with poppy wreaths being laid at the newly relocated war memorial, with The Lord-Lieutenant of Cumbria Alexander Scott laying the first wreath. 

Veterans gathered before the service at Carlisle Cathedral (Image: Matthew O'Hara/NQ) He was followed by representatives from the Armed Forces, ex-service organisations, Cumberland Council, and Cadet Forces who all paid their own respects.

The service was organised by The Royal British Legion Carlisle and Stanwix with its secretary Margaret Wadsworth on hand at the event to explain the significance of remembrance

She said: "The Royal British Legion is the custodian of Remembrance and we at Carlisle and Stanwix Branch work to make sure that those who made sacrifices for the freedom we have today are never forgotten.  

(Image: Matthew O'Hara/NQ) "It is so important that the younger generations appreciate what has happened over the years not just in World War One and World War Two but that in every conflict since 1945 service men and women have been killed and wounded while protecting us and should never be forgotten."

The service at the city centre war memorial followed a Festival of Remembrance at St Cuthbert’s Church in Carlisle on Friday 8 November and a service at Carlisle Cathedral on the morning of Sunday, November 10.

(Image: Matthew O'Hara/NQ) Deputy leader for Cumberland Council, Cllr Lisa Brown, who is the lead portfolio holder with responsibility for the Armed Forces, discussed the council's pride in arranging a number of events to mark Remembrance Day 2024.

She said: "We are a proud supporter of the armed forces and we have put in place a variety of ways to commemorate this year’s Remembrance events right across Cumberland."

(Image: Matthew O'Hara/NQ) Chair of Cumberland Council, Cllr Andy Semple added: "I am delighted that the council has taken so many steps to commemorate Remembrance in Cumberland.

"I will be proud to represent the council at events on the day, and hope many of you are also able to take the time to honour those who served at one of your local Remembrance events."