The Blackhall community came together as one again yesterday for the Remembrance Sunday commemoration service held around the memorial in Blackhall Colliery Welfare Park.
The service, organised by Monk Hesleden Parish Council and officiated by council chairman Gaynor Crute and local minister John Kidd, drew another fantastic attendance from a community committed to paying their respects to those from Blackhall who fought, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice, in conflicts over the years.
The buffet reception held in Blackhall Cricket Club straight after the service, funded by me and Stacey as the local county councillors, gave the opportunity for members of the public to meet up again with family members, old friends and visitors to our village.
Wreaths were laid at the memorial on behalf of the Royal British Legion, Monk Hesleden Parish Council, Durham County Council, Blackhall Colliery primary school, St Joseph's RC primary school, Wellfield school, Blackhall Labour Party, Eights & Aces motorcycle club, the Women's Institute, St Andrew's church and a number of other local and regional organisations. There was also an opportunity for individuals to make their representations on behalf of lost love ones and family members.
As always our thanks go to the clerk, members and staff of the parish council for organising the event, the staff and committee of Blackhall Cricket Club who made everyone welcome, Ian Harrison for performing the Last Post and Reveille, representatives from the Royal British Legion, staff and pupils from Wellfield School and our local primary schools and of course the Blackhall community who came together to honour those who fought and died in the defence of our country and community against tyranny and oppression.
