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Tributes to fallen across North East and Cumbria

Pamela TickellNorth East and Cumbria
Vox Productions Rows of people in red, green and blue military uniforms are standing solemnly in the cathedral. The people at the front of the group have their heads bowed. Red poppy petals are dropping behind them. Vox Productions
A remembrance event at Durham Cathedral saw a silent poppy drop

Servicemen, servicewomen and animals have been honoured across the North East and Cumbria to mark Remembrance.

Durham Cathedral held its Festival of Remembrance earlier, which saw music and a silent poppy drop, and the Mayor's balcony at Barrow Town Hall was adorned with about 5,000 knitted and crocheted poppies.

Meanwhile, a tree carving depicting a pigeon, dog and horse was unveiled this week at Ridley Park, in Blyth, Northumberland, to honour animals who died in conflicts.

Military parades and services are planned across the region for Remembrance Sunday, including at Victory Square in Hartlepool town centre.

Saturday's event at Durham Cathedral featured performances from the Band of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and the Tyne Electrical Engineers Association Pipes and Drums.

Local crafters answered Mayoress of Barrow Liz Chatfield's call for poppies, which were draped across the town hall's balcony last month.

Westmorland and Furness Council The balcony at Barrow Town Hal is draped with knitted and crocheted red poppies. The windows are set in grand arches and the exterior of the building is lined with intricate stonework.Westmorland and Furness Council
Knitted and crocheted poppies adorned the Mayor's balcony at Barrow Town Hall

In Blyth, a purple wreath will be laid at the animal memorial by the Friends of Ridley Park after a service at the cenotaph.

Secretary Claire Young said it was a "very fitting tribute to animals who are often overlooked as casualties of war".

Claire Young A composite image of the memorial which has been carved out of a tree stump. The head of a horse is topped with the head of a dog, which is them topped with a pigeon. On the right, there is a close up of the dog which appears to be looking up.Claire Young
A memorial in Blyth honours animals who died in conflicts

Last month in Newcastle, volunteers restored the railings around the cenotaph at Old Eldon Square.

Organised by NE1, veterans were also invited to share their stories ahead of a parade through the city from the Civic Centre to the memorial.

Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Councillor Henry Gallagher, said: "Remembrance belongs to us all.

"By standing together, united as a city, we can show that the lives, service and sacrifice of those who gave so much will never be forgotten."

NE1 People wearing white overalls are painting the railings which surround the Old Eldon Square war memorial black. They are also wearing bright blue gloves. The railings come up to about waist-height.NE1
The railings around the Old Eldon Square cenotaph were repainted

Meanwhile, a parade and service of remembrance is planned in Boldon Colliery in front of a newly unveiled memorial.

It features two life-sized granite statues, one depicting a colliery miner and the other a First World War soldier, alongside the refurbished Boldon Colliery Clock.

Boldon Colliery Heritage Group said it was "more than just a memorial, this is a lasting tribute to our heritage, our history and the people who came before us".

RJX Media The statue has two, white figures on either side. A soldier, on the left, is bowing his head and leaning on a rifle. On the right, there is a miner. A tall, black column in the middle is topped with a clock and words that read: "Boldon Colliery remembers." There is a print of a red poppy and a wheel beneath the figures.RJX Media
A memorial at Boldon Colliery honoured its mining heritage

Buildings including Carlisle Civic Centre and The Story in Durham were illuminated red throughout the week.

Cumberland Council also adorned some of their refuse and highways vehicles with printed poppies and a 'Lest We Forget' message.

Durham County Council The panelled wall of the building is illuminated in red. The outlines of poppies can be made out in the light. There are three small posts with lights on top lining the pavement in front of it.Durham County Council
Durham's cultural venue The Story was illuminated red

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