Poppy wreaths to be year-long WWI tributes in Garstang

Councillors have agreed that special hooks can be installed in the Croston Road memorial area so that wreaths and tributes can be secured and remain as a more permanent reminder of the sacrifices made by local services personnel in two World Wars.

The issue was raised at the council meeting by Coun Lady Dulcie Atkins who said there had been complaints that the wreaths were removed too soon. She explained that she ad been impressed by the way remembrance wreaths and tributes are displayed at the Penwortham War memorial which she passes regularly.

Inspired by that memorial, she had made inquiries about ways to secure Garstang’s own wreaths to ensure they could remain on longer display.

Details have been announced of a series of a remembrance events in Garstang and Wyre on November 9 and 11. In Garstang on Sunday, November 9, a procession will assemble at the Community Centre car park at 10am for service in St Thomas’ Church, at 10.30am followed by a wreath laying ceremony at the war memorial.

In Preesall, a procession will assemble at the car park on Lancaster Road, Preesall at 1.45pm on November 9 ,followed by a service in St Oswald’s at 2.30 pm.

In Barton, Bilsborrow and Myerscough there will be a Remembrance Service on Tuesday November 11 at the war memorial, Bilsborrow. Those attending are asked to assemble at 10.20am.

In Fleetwood Remembrance Sunday November 9 will be marked at Memorial Park, Warrenhurst Road, with a procession including Wyre mayor Coun Ron Shewan and Wyre Council Chief Executive Garry Payne assembling at Warrenhurst Road at 10.30am. An Armistice Day Service will be held in the Marine Hall, Esplanade, Fleetwood on Tuesday November 11 at 10.40am. There will be a community parade afterwards to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War.