The Blackhall community comes together to pay their respects on Remembrance Sunday

As in years gone by there was another fantastic turnout from our residents and local organisations at the 2026 Service of Remembrance held at the memorial in Blackhall Colliery Welfare Park on Sunday 8 November.

The service, organised by Monk Hesleden Parish Council and led by parish council chair Gaynor Crute and local minister John Kidd, attracted another magnificent attendance from a community committed to paying their respects to those from Blackhall who fought in both World Wars and other conflicts over the years.

At the commemoration service wreaths were laid at the memorial on behalf of Monk Hesleden Parish Council, Durham County Council, Blackhall ATC, St Andrew's church, Blackhall Primary School, St Joseph's Primary School, Wellfield School and Durham Constabulary. At the end of the wreath laying ceremony there was an opportunity for members of the public and other local organisations to pay their personal respects.

As in past years the buffet reception held in Blackhall Cricket Club immediately after the service was very well attended by residents taking the opportunity to meet up with family members, old friends and visitors to our village.

I would like to thank the chair, 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 Harris for performing the Last Post and Reveille, representatives from the Royal British Legion, Blackhall Women’s Institute, the staff and pupils from Wellfield school, both of our local primary schools, Brian Drummond who again gave so much of his own time preparing the village ahead of the service and of course the Blackhall community who once again came together to honour those who fought and those who died in the defence of our country and community against fascism, tyranny and oppression.