Hundreds gathered to pay respects to those who served their country at the Pots and Pans Remembrance Sunday service.

Rev John Rosedale, who retired in March after 12 years as a vicar in Saddleworth, officiated at the service at the Uppermill war memorial to step in for Rev Canon Sharon Jones, who was ill.

The popular cleric said although he had been chaplain to the local branch of Royal British Legion for almost all that time he had not been "up the hill" as a member of the congregation or to lead the service.

The Dobcross Brass Monkeys performed at the event. 

After hosting the poignant service which saw hundreds throng to the hillside above the villages, he said: “What a year to go up!

"The sun was shining, everyone appeared to be in a good mood, coats hats and scarves were being removed as people climbed upwards.

“Without the help of our local council, community organisations and individuals this service of remembrance would not take place.

“I’d been warned there could be a lot of noise: was it the sunshine and warmth that brought everyone together or the playing by the Dobcross Brass Monkeys?

“The music that filled the air instead of being blown away on the wind seemed to be appreciated by all those present and the laying of wreaths was undertaken by people of many ages with one wreath being handmade by a young boy and placed on the memorial by him and his mother.

“I feel honoured to have been asked to lead this service and to have been part of something very special that, at 1200ft above sea level, perhaps only the people of Saddleworth can do so well.”

On a personal note Rev Rosedale said he had time to reflect on his own time in the Royal Air Force, the work of the Royal British Legion and the annual Poppy Appeal.

He added: “Speaking to ex-servicemen and women who’ve experienced front-line fighting I have never heard a glamorisation of war or an attempt to celebrate it and, I think that as we see the horrors of war on our TV screens, more and more of us understand the impact on civilians in war torn cities and villages and are therefore remembering them whilst also remembering those in the armed services who have given their lives.

“I don’t think there’ll ever be a pink poppy, but one day I believe there will be a red and white poppy wreath laid at both Pots ‘n Pans, in our churches and village memorials.

“After all if there’s a commitment to peace and hope for a peaceful future there should be a coming together of the white and red poppies.”