RESIDENTS of all ages came together in Wharfedale for the centenary of the First World War’s Armistice.

In Otley a lone piper played outside the Parish Church at 6am on Sunday, November 11 and later a parade made its way through town to The Bridge United Reformed Church for an afternoon Remembrance Service.

The procession afterwards made its way to the Memorial Garden for a Remembrance ceremony. The Parish Church meanwhile, bedecked in thousands of poppies, sounded its bells on a number of occasions over the weekend.

The bells rang at 7.05pm on Sunday to mark a Cry For Peace Around The World that was uttered by about 140 town criers across the country, including Otley Bellman Terry Ford.

Town Council Chair Councillor Ray Georgeson said: “The parade and service were exceptionally well attended with plenty of people on the streets.

“Rev Graham Buttanshaw made special reference to Doris Gagen, who is retiring from her central role in the Otley Royal British Legion, to a huge round of applause. Doris has given amazing service for many years which is deeply appreciated.

“Everyone felt the special poignance and significance of the centenary and this was beautifully encapsulated by our Bellman when he proclaimed the Cry for Peace. About 100 residents joined him, marking a special end to a special day.

“I also want to pay tribute to the young lads at Otley Town U10s and U7s who impeccably observed silences on Saturday and Sunday.”

At Pool-in-Wharfedale Rev David Wheeler conducted a 9.30am Remembrance service at St Wilfrid’s Church. That was followed by a service at the Cenotaph where wooden crosses, in memory of the fallen from Pool and Arthington, were placed at the memorial along with hundreds of paper cranes.

Rev Wheeler also blessed a memorial bench that had been donated by Pool Parish Council to mark the occasion.

At Bramhope a parade set off from the Village Hall on Sunday morning and marched to the Memorial Garden for a service, led by Rev Roger Smith, and the laying of wreaths, before a Remembrance service at the Methodist Church.

Parish Councillor John Howard said: “Crosses were placed by Brownies, Cubs, Beavers and so on for each of the fallen as their name was read. The children were soaked but they all stayed firmly focused on the ceremony.”