In 2020, the Remembrance Service was unable to take place due to the Covid Regulations. However, many individuals and representatives of organisations paid their respects by laying wreaths at different times of the day.
In 2021, we resumed our traditional Heald Green Remembrance Service. We are delighted that it was as well supported as the last one, in 2019. As previously it started with a short procession by the schoolchildren and youth organisations, led by a piper, followed by a Service with the Last Post and Reveille, played by a bugler and the laying of wreaths by about20 organisations.
As in previous years, the Ratepayers bought and erected large poppies on lamp posts on various major roads, in the run up to Remembrance Sunday. We also had additional large poppies for people to buy to display. A number of people bought and erected their own poppies to add to the display of remembrance. All money was sent to the Royal British Legion to support our disabled ex-servicemen. Also,
Questions had been asked about the practical reasons why the Remembrance Service at the War memorial is always at 12.00. There have always been several remembrance services in Heald Green at 11am, these being in the various churches to which all are invited. The uniformed children’s groups take part in these at 11am and also many of the elderly who cannot manage an outdoor service. At 12.00 there is the Community Remembrance Service at the War Memorial, at which children from all our primary schools, the scout and guide groups, representatives from the Army and Air Cadets, the Police, the Royal British Legion, the CMA, the Churches and other community groups can all come together and take part. The Police and some of the other representatives also attend other memorial services on that day and can only attend at Heald Green because it is at 12.00. The same applies to our bugler and piper, who play at other services but can only attend Heald Green because it is at 12.00.
Across Stockport about half of the services do not take place at 11.00am. Each community has its own time and place to reflect and remember. Heald Green’s community gathering has been at 12.00 for many years and everyone who regularly attends is used to arriving at this time. Of course there are other residents who like to pay their respects quietly at 11am at the Memorial and this has always been the case but the organised community event is always at 12.00.