We will remember them

Communities across the Cambrian News region have come together to remember our fallen war heroes.

People gathered at cenotaphs across Ceredigion, Gwynedd and Powys on Sunday, 8 November, to pay their respects to those who died in war.

In Llanbadarn, Aberystwyth, photographer Dewi Alun Jones captured the sombre mood at the war memorial, and shared photographs from the day on the Cambrian News Picture This Facebook page.

In Borth, Reverend Phillip Wyn Davies officiated the well-attended Annual Remembrance Service at St Matthew's Church.

Anna Cole played the last post, and Mark Williams read the 61 names on the Roll of Honour. 

Anna Cole, Poppy Appeal Organiser Margaret Griffiths, Reverend Phillip Wyn Davies, Ray Quant MBE, Mark Williams and Standard Bearer Jack Morris are pictured.

It follows a busy time for members of of the Royal British Legion.

The Borth Branch recently held its AGM at the Community Hall in Borth.

The guest speaker was Patrick Norrington Davies, Wales’ National Trustee, who spoke of the work of the RBL nationally and future campaigns.

Officers confirmed for the coming year were:

President, Mark Williams, Vice President, John Walton. Chairman, Ray Quant MBE, Vice Chairman, Margaret Griffiths, Secretary Dr Valerie Norrington Davies, Treasurer, Roy Jones, Standard Bearer, Jack Morris.

The highlights of the year were discussed, notably the Cliff Top Remembrance Service with an increased turnout, and the Annual Anzac Dinner.

Arrangements were confirmed for the Remembrance Service in St Matthew's Church, Borth.

Neuadd Goffa Penparcau hosted its annual Remembrance Service and Community tea.

Pictured are Cllr Jeff Smith, Deputy Mayor of Aberystwyth, Scott Friel, Chairman, Aberystwyth Royal British Legion. Mark Williams, Chairman Neuadd Goffa, Cllr Carl Worrall. Enid Welsh, Bookings Secretary Neuadd Goffa, and Cllr Shelley Childs.

A Remembrance Day service was held in Tregaron Memorial Hall on 8 November.

Poppy wreaths were laid on behalf of the community by Cllr Gwion James, Chairman of Tregaron Town Council, Meilyr Hughes, Tregaron Fire Station, Tam Varley and Beth Elliott, Community Nurses and David Edwards, Tregaron Memorial Hall.

Thanks are given to Cllr Gwion James and Mr Rhydian Wilson for leading, Cllr Catherine Hughes for playing the piano, councillors Meirian Morgan, Rhian Jones, and Sam Jones, Ianto James and Tregaron YFC for taking part in the service.

Thanks also to Tregaron Town Council for organising the service.

In Barmouth, a labour of love led to the creation of a touching tribute to their fallen war heroes.

Community members worked hard to transform the war memorial with a striking collection of cascading and standing poppies.

Former mayor Rob Cadwaladr Williams approached Tanio Bermo at the start of the year to ask the town’s resilience hub and community makerspace group to brighten up the cenotaph for Remembrance Sunday.

“That conversation started 10 months of a labour of love for Tanio Bermo and included many elements of the local community assisting including Men's Shed, Merched y Wawr, crafting groups and hundreds of individuals,” a Tanio Bermo spokesperson said.

“It really became a whole town venture.”

They added: “Tanio Bermo prides itself on inventiveness, using the resources we have and upcycling wherever possible so we set about designing a tribute that was worthy and told the stories of the men named all while being sustainable.

“After some trial and error our poppy project developed to consist of two elements - a cascade of handmade poppies - many hundreds knitted, crocheted or sewn then all of them tied onto reclaimed netting.

“The second part is 76 bespoke standing poppies - one for each man named on the memorial.

“These identical poppies were made using pop bottles and donated items over many workshops during the year.

“At each workshop crafters chose a name from the memorial and while making this they heard a little about the man’s life, thanks to the helpful research of a local history enthusiast.

“They would understand where they lived, served and sadly died. Many could also view a photograph of the man. “Obviously many of the fallen still have relatives locally so they came along to make their great grandfathers for example, while others found other connections, such as the soldier having historically lived in their house for example.

“The mayor himself found time to attend and make one one too.”

The poppies were all completed last month in readiness to display, and 10 months of work culminated in them being erected on Sunday, 1 November at the town cenotaph in the memorial garden.

“The end result was just as we'd hoped and the response so far has been nothing short of phenomenal,” the spokesperson said.

They formed a striking backdrop for Remembrance Sunday, when council and community representatives laid poppy wreaths on the war memorial.