Poignant services held in Whitehaven and beyond for Remembrance Sunday

Poignant ceremonies were held in Whitehaven and the surrounding towns and villages, with veterans, services personnel, cadets, youth groups and civic dignitaries joining members of the public to mark Remembrance Sunday.

In Whitehaven, the procession made its way through town to Castle Park for a moving service led by the Reverend Alison Dobell at the town's recently renovated war memorial.

Among those laying wreaths were representatives from the Royal British Legion branches, the armed forces, cadets, the Deputy Mayor of Whitehaven, Chris Hayes, deputy leader of Cumberland Council, Emma Williamson and Whitehaven and Workington MP, Josh MacAlister.

Chris Hayes, deputy mayor of Whitehaven and Josh MacAlister, MP for Whitehaven and Workington (Image: Vladimir Funtak)

A service followed in the United Reformed Church.

Cllr Hayes said: “It went very well. It was a very good turnout and the weather held off. Our piper was brilliant. She piped us all the way round.

“It’s an honour. I get a buzz out of it every time. The amount of people who thanked us as we walked round was great. People came out of their shops to wave.”

Mr MacAlister said: "It was a great honour and privilege to represent Parliament and the Government for the first time as your MP at the Remembrance Sunday commemoration.

A wreath-laying ceremony was held at Whitehaven Cenotaph (Image: Whitehaven Town Council)

"Remembrance Sunday is a solemn occasion every year which gives us the chance to remember and honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our great country.

"But we also have a duty to honour those still living. And as your MP I will ensure our veterans get the support they need and deserve, not just at Remembrance but year-round."

In Cleator Moor, a wreath-laying ceremony was held at the war memorial on the Square, while in Egremont, a service and wreath laying was held at the War Memorial and the town’s ‘greasy pole’ was illuminated red.