East Lancashire falls silent to remember our heroes

At cenotaphs across the region, veterans joined residents and community leaders to observe two minutes' silence at 11am.

With the Last Post ringing out, proudly wearing poppies and with heads bowed, they respectfully marked the end of the First World War hostilities, which came to a conclusion at 11am of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.

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Commemorative events also took place at schools across East Lancashire as teachers hosted activities designed to teach youngsters about the brave sacrifice Britain's soldiers, sailors, and airmen made to fight for our freedom.

Pupils at St Augustine's High School in Billington stopped for a two minutes' silence before eight trumpeters performed the Last Post call about the school.

Headteacher Mike Wright said: "The school's horticulture group have also laid a new remembrance garden at the front of the school to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, with a plaque made by the pupils."

And a teacher at Our Lady and St John's Catholic College dressed from head to toe in poppies to stress the important of Remembrance Day.

Renia Przybysz has worked at the Blackburn school for eight years and is also a former pupil.

Every year, Mrs Przybysz, who is head of music, has a stall at the school selling poppies and said dressing up encouraged the pupils to learn more about the event.

She said: "I do think it has a positive impact on the pupils and encourages them to wear a poppy or to buy other poppy merchandise.

"As educators, I believe we are responsible for teaching our pupils the importance of Remembrance Day and encouraging them to remember so many who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

"It also helps us to promote fundamental British values. We encourage our pupils to understand and be tolerant of all beliefs, and Remembrance Day in particular is a good way to teach pupils about uniting people from all walks of life."

Students at Norden High School in Stourton Street, Rishton, took part in a 'super learning day'.

Following an alternate timetable for the day, year nine pupils researched names on the town's war memorial, recreated the infamous football match played during the Christmas truce of 1914, learnt about life in the trenches, and got to grips with various memorabilia.

And last night there was a special schools performance of The Muddy Choir, a wartime tale featuring three boys' experience of the times, at The Boo Theatre in Waterfoot, as part of a month-long commemorations festival entitled ‘Owd Bacup’.