Minster will be focus of Remembrance Sunday commemorations – Sunday, November 9
In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. . . Every year, we gather – and wear our poppies with pride – to mark the momentous occasion of the ending of the Great War, and to remember and pay our respects to those who did not return home to their families; those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Not just in this ‘war to end all wars’ but in subsequent wars and conflicts since.
The greatest silence in modern history fell on November 11, 1918 with the last shells being fired by batteries on both sides just before 11am.
The guns fells silent at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, as the armistice was signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany at Compiègne, France, for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front of World War I.
This year, as in previous years, Halifax Minster will become the focus for our Remembrance Sunday commemorations.
And as the nation prepares to stand in silent remembrance of those who gave their lives for their country so too will the people of Calderdale have the opportunity to remember by gathering together on Sunday, November 9.
Vicar of Halifax, The Rev Canon Hilary Barber said: “Halifax Minster will once again enable the people of Calderdale to gather together as we hold our annual service to which everyone is welcome and to which everyone is invited.
“This will be an opportunity to remember all those who gave their lives in the Great War, the two World Wars and in more recent conflicts; those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. It will be a time when we can come together in unity to show that they will never be forgotten, that they will always be in our thoughts and prayers.”
As in previous years, Remembrance Sunday will begin with a parade leaving The Piece Hall, at 10.30am, arriving at the Cenotaph in Duffy’s Park next to Halifax Minster at 10.40am.
The Remembrance Day service will then begin at 10.45 at the Cenotaph outside the Minster and includes the National Act of Remembrance and the laying of wreaths. Taking part will be cadets from The Army and Royal Air Force, civic leaders and representatives from Calderdale’s faith communities and Interfaith Council.
The service then continues inside the Minster, concluding with a short, said Eucharist at 12.15pm in the Rokeby Chapel.
As part of the commemorations, the Minster is once offering people the chance to sing one of the most beautiful pieces of music to mark Remembrance Sunday.
The Minster Choir will be performing Requiem by French composer Gabriel Faure and is inviting people to join them. A workshop/rehearsal takes place at 2pm prior to the performance at 4pm.
This is a ‘Come and Sing’ event and people who'd like to sing should come to the workshop, booking in via The Minster Office beforehand on 01422 355436 or by emailing [email protected]
Admission is free to the performance.
Canon Barber added: “This is a lovely opportunity for people to join the Minster choir and sing this moving piece and have a Remembrance Sunday to remember.
“If people don’t want to sing, we invite them to come along and listen to this wonderful music."
“When you go home tell them of us and say for your tomorrow we gave our today” – epitaph at Kohima
For more details about any of the events, please contact Halifax Minster office on 01422 355436 or visit http://www.halifaxminster.org.uk/
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.