Tuesday 11th November 2014
On the 11th hour, of the 11th day of the 11th month, Chesterfield, as it always does, fell silent to honour and remember those who have fallen in conflicts recent and past.
Shops and schools throughout the town paid their respects with silence - and in the centre of Chesterfield, thousands gathered around the Cenotaph opposite the Town Hall to mark the moment in public.
Council leaders and staff joined the Deputy Mayor - Cllr Denise Hawksworth and her consort Mr Tony Rogers, on the steps of the Town Hall, alongside 500 children from local schools and nurseries, and students from Chesterfield College, to observe an impeccable two minutes silence. In what was believed to be one of the best turnouts of recent years hundreds of members of the public also lined the area.
The Mayor and Mayoress were unable to attend today, having been invited as guests of French President Francois Hollande, to be part of the unveiling and dedication of the Ring of Remembrance Memorial at the Notre Dame de Lorette - a monument signifying, in part, the deaths of over half a million soldiers at Flanders during the 1914-18 conflict.
Public Service Students from the College were on parade, whilst two of their fellow students laid a wreath alongside the many others which had been placed on Sunday, alongside veterans from past conflicts who left the parade ground to thunderous applause from the crowds. Pupils from Dunston Primary and Little Leprechauns nursery, amongst others, also braved the cold to stand and pay their respects.
Afterwards the Head teacher of Dunston Primary, Mr Paul Burgess, (below), told The Chesterfield Post why they were proud to be there, "It's really important - we've brought the year 5's and 6's but we are having a minutes silence for the rest of the school. In the curriculum now, we are looking at British values and I think it's important that children have a sense of belonging and are thankful for what we have now.
"We have children who have members of their family currently serving and I think it gives them a sense of pride in what their mums and dads are doing. as they are not always with them and they miss them - especially coming up to Christmas."
Having watched one of his pupils lay a school made wreath alongside those of The Mayor and the MP, Mr Burgess said, "I was really proud of Charlie who was chosen to present his wreath. I had a little lump in my throat. The children have walked 40 minutes to be here today so they've had a proper route march like they would have done in the Army! I am very proud of them!"
John Collins, Standard bearer for the Royal Engineers Association, Chesterfield Branch said he had been honoured by how many people had turned out today, "It meant a great deal. The Sunday parade is the highlight but I think nowadays, people are focused on the 11th and I think this year, being the 100th year of the beginning of the First World War, this year has meant more to us than previous years.
"I think the poppies at the Tower of London (created by Derbyshire's own Paul Cummins and crafted by local firm Denby) have really been fabulous and have helped the public get behind us.
"Although troops are now leaving Afghanistan this is not the end of all wars - there will always be a conflict somewhere. We can't let it (Remembrance) die. We have two big regiments in Chesterfield and we have many associations in the town. Unfortunately, we are all getting older and the young ones coming out want to have a break like we all did before they join associations."
 Cllr John Burrows, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council (left), said that once again, Chesterfield had done the military proud, "It was bigger than ever this year, not just the public, but the dozens of school children here today. To see them standing the cold, resolute and silent - they did it with some pride today.
"Doesn't Chesterfield do the Armed Forces well every time they have an opportunity? The town is very proud of its links with the Armed Services, the veterans and the young army cadets - we will continue to work with the veterans. We do the Armed Services proud in Chesterfield!
"We always think respectfully of the dead - but there are also lots of young people with lost limbs and disturbed minds as a consequence of their services on our behalf - and we should remember that as well.
"We have to look to the future - we have a memorial out there with names from World Wars One and Two - but we need to look at those who have lost their lives since - and we need to look at a fitting memorial to them too."
Cllr Burrows paid particular tribute to the young students from Chesterfield College many of whom will be doubtless thinking of a career in the services, saying, "The public services students did the town proud too. They were standing their in their t-shirts in the cold - 16 or 17 years of age - and when the grumble about teens goes up, please remember the 99% of extremely good young people in our town.
"I was very proud of Chesterfield, the residents the children and the veterans - alongside the staff in the Town Hall that came out to recognise those that have done their duty for this country."
Listen to Cllr Burrows' interview in full here...
Chesterfield Football Club also held a service for the fallen at lunchtime, attended by players, staff and members of the public, at the newly opened Memorial Garden.
PFA Chairman Ritchie Humphreys and Captain Ian Evatt, along with Phil Tooley and Community Director at the club, John Croot, laid wreaths at the memorial - dedicated at the opening ceremony in August.
Pete Whiteley, member of Chesterfield Community Trust, admitted it was a proud day for the Trust saying, "It's our first act of Remembrance at the garden for the war memorial that we have put in there over the summer. It is fitting that on this poignant day we are doing our first act of remembrance.
"The club have been supportive - after all there were 16 players and officials at the club who went to war and never came back. The Royal British Legion have been with us every step of the way. It's a very proud moment - one of the best things I've been involved with at the football club."
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