RENFREWSHIRE fell silent on Sunday as Remembrance services took place to honour the war fallen.
Veterans were joined by members of the emergency services, politicians and local residents at poignant events in Johnstone, Renfrew, Paisley, Bridge of Weir, Elderslie, Houston, Howwood, Kilbarchan and Lochwinnoch.
Renfrewshire South MSP Tom Arthur, who attended the service at the cenotaph in Johnstone’s Houstoun Square, told The Gazette: “It was an honour to attend the Remembrance services this year, and commemorate the service members who fought to keep us safe.
“I would also like to commend the organisers and thank them for their work to ensure everyone was able to pay tribute safely and respectfully.”
The largest service in Renfrewshire took place at the cenotaph in Paisley town centre, where military personnel from the Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy paraded around the town centre.
A short service then saw a series of readings by local ministers, before the Royal British Legion presented their standards.
A bugler played a moving rendition of the Last Post ahead of the traditional two-minute silence at 11am, following which wreaths were laid on behalf of the armed forces, schools, local organisations and community groups.
Renfrewshire’s Depute Provost Cathy McEwan, who laid a wreath on behalf of the people of Renfrewshire, said: “This weekend provides us all with an opportunity to pay our respects to the armed forces, past and present, for all they do to keep us safe, while remembering those who have given the ultimate sacrifice so we can live our lives as we do today.
“It was fantastic to see so many people turn out across Renfrewshire once again as services returned to towns and villages for the first time since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Renfrewshire Interfaith Group, together with East Renfrewshire Faith Forum, also organised a well attended interfaith event at the walled Peace Garden in Barshaw Park, Paisley.
For those who were unable to attend a service in-person, Renfrewshire Council’s ‘Renfrewshire Reflects’ film featuring representatives from local communities aired on the council’s social media channels on the morning of Remembrance Sunday, finishing with the national two-minute silence.
In addition to the video, this year’s Remembrance Day podcast highlights the work of Poppyscotland to celebrate 100 years of the Poppy as the national symbol of Remembrance.
Landmarks across Renfrewshire were also lit in red to mark Poppyscotland’s Light Up Red campaign.
To watch the video, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/remembrance2021.
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