Oldhamers gathered around the war memorial and town hall today to pay their respect to those who lost their lives in the two world wars and other conflicts.

Despite the downpour of rain, residents across the borough crammed into the square to watch the order of service this Remembrance Sunday (November 12).

The touching tribute started with a procession of ex-service and military personnel who had assembled on New Radcliffe Street to march through the town and proceed to the memorial.

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A call to remembrance was then read by Reverend Canon Jean Hurlston, followed by an exhortation by the Mayor of Oldham, Councillor Zahid Chauhan OBE.

At just past 11am, Oldhamers huddled in the rain shared a moment's silence before the poppy wreaths were laid at the foot of the war memorial. 

The Oldham Times: Oldham dignitaries and ex-service personnel paid their respects at the war memorialOldham dignitaries and ex-service personnel paid their respects at the war memorial (Image: Newsquest, Olivia Bridge)

The mayor, the Lord Lieutenant's Deputy, Stephen Lowe, Greater Manchester Police Oldham divisional commander, Chief Superintendent Philip Hutchinson, council leader, Cllr Arooj Shah, and council chief executive Harry Catherall, were the first to lay the wreaths and pay their respects.

There were then numerous other dignitaries, including the honorary freeman and honorary alderman of the borough, deputy lieutenants, the Youth Mayor, Charlotte Clasby, members of the judiciary and ex-service associations and other organisations such as St John's Ambulance and First Choice Homes Oldham who laid a wreath in the succession.

Hymns and prayers were then read before the crowd joined in to sing the National Anthem "God Save the King".

Finally, to the march of a brass band, branches of the Royal British Legion, uniformed services and representatives of land, air, sea and cadets paraded through to salute the mayor and the Lord Lieutenant's Deputy.

If you have a story, I cover all things Oldham from food reviews and local business news to music and events, pubs, education, crime, property, health, community concerns and much more. Please email me at Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk or send me a message on Twitter @Livbridge with your news.