THE Ribble Valley’s war commemorations were given a royal seal of approval yesterday when The Duke of Kent unveiled a new plaque at Clitheroe Castle.
Prince Edward also finished planting an oak tree on the castle grounds, where schoolchildren scattered poppy seeds in memory of fallen soldiers.
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The tree was the last of 40 to be planted in every town and village in the borough to mark 100 years since the outbreak of the First World War.
Around 1,000 people from Clitheroe, Longridge, Whalley and the surrounding areas are believed to have died in the conflict.
The duke, who served in the military for 21 years, was greeted at the castle by dignitaries including Ribble Valley mayor, Coun Michael Ranson, and troops from The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment.
He shovelled soil onto the oak tree before revealing a sandstone plaque quarried at Waddington Fell, which featured a special inscription and an extract from Laurence Binyon’s Ode of Remembrance.
Speaking at the ceremony, Coun Ranson said: “Ribble Valley Council decided to offer an oak tree to every town and village in the borough to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the First World War.
“I am glad to say that every village has taken up that offer. I think I’ve planted about 38 of those and this is the last one. We are all connected to the war through our family history and we are thankful to the people of our community.
“It is our hope that this tree will be a reminder to our generation, and the next generation, of the sacrifices of those men and women to ensure our freedoms.”
The buff-coloured stone, standing 19 inches high and 29 inches across, was inscribed by stone manager Gary Devine, from Langho.
He said: “The plaque was carved from a particularly unique piece of stone featuring unusual pink and red veins.
“We are honoured to be working on this project to remember Ribble Valley’s fallen heroes and commemorate the centenary of the First World War.”
Pupils from Grindleton Primary School - Phoebe Smalling, seven, Rebecca Aldington, nine, and Robert Sutcliffe, nine - sprinkled the poppy seeds around the tree as the Duke looked on.
He was then given a private tour of the castle and its museum before meeting with ex-servicemen.
RAF veteran Brian Nightingale, 85, who attended on behalf of Clitheroe Royal British Legion, said: “When people are walking past that tree and see those words, they will hopefully gain an understanding of what the young people of this area gave for their country.”
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