Remembrance services to be held across Rochdale as borough comes together to honour the fallen

Friday, 31 October 2025 08:48

By David Murphy

The borough will pause to remember on Sunday 9 November, with services and parades taking place in every township to honour servicemen and women past and present

Rochdale will come to a standstill on Sunday 9 November as residents across the borough take part in this year’s Remembrance Sunday commemorations.

A series of services and parades are taking place in every township, offering communities the chance to remember those who served in past conflicts and those still serving today.

Veterans will stand alongside serving members of the Navy, Army and RAF, with wreaths laid at memorials in Heywood, Middleton, Rochdale, Littleborough, Castleton, Milnrow, Norden and Wardle. All services are free and open to everyone, with no need to book.

Councillor Janet Emsley, Mayor of Rochdale, said:

“This is always a powerful and emotional day for our borough. We remember those who served and sacrificed, side by side, regardless of background or belief. In honouring them, we also show our support for today’s armed forces and their families.”

Full timetable of local services and parades

Heywood

10.15am–11.30am
Heywood Memorial Gardens, Church Street, OL10 3EG
Parade assembles: Tower Street, 10.15am
Service at Memorial Gardens: 10.55am
March past follows at 11.20am

Middleton

10.10am–11.30am
Middleton Memorial Gardens, Middleton Old Road, M24 4EB
Assemble: Harbord Harbord pub, Long Street, 10.10am
Parade departs: 10.20am
Service begins: 10.45am

Castleton

10.45am–11.30am
Castleton Memorial, Queensway, OL11 2SU
Full details to be corfirmed

Rochdale town centre

10.30am–11.30am
Rochdale Cenotaph, Memorial Gardens, OL16 1AT
Groups assemble outside Flying Horse Hotel: 10.30am
Parade to Cenotaph: 10.50am
Service begins: 10.55am
March past and return to Flying Horse

Norden

10.45am–11.30am
Norden Memorial Gardens, Woodhouse Lane, OL11 5XE
Parade details to follow

Littleborough

10.15am–11.35am
Littleborough War Memorial, Church Street/Railway Street
Assemble at Hare Hill Park: 10.15am
Parade to Cenotaph: 10.30am
Service: 10.55am
Parade returns: 11.35am

Milnrow

10.45am–11.30am
Milnrow Memorial, Newhey Road, OL16 4JF
Assemble at Harmony Street: 10.25am
Parade leaves Milnrow Library: 10.35am
Service: 10.55am
Return: 11.20am

Wardle

2.15pm–3.30pm
Wardle War Memorial, Wardle Road, OL12 9ER
Assemble at Village Square: 2.15pm
Parade to Cenotaph: 2.30pm
Service: 3pm
Parade returns: 3.30pm

very service across the borough will include traditional elements such as the Last Post, two-minute silence, Exhortation, and the Kohima Epitaph, along with hymns, prayers, and the National Anthem.

Local people are encouraged to wear a poppy, with the Royal British Legion's annual appeal running now until Remembrance Sunday. Poppies can be bought at Number One Riverside, online, or from local shops and volunteers.

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something happening in our Borough?

Let us know by emailing newsdesk@rochvalleyradio.com

All contact will be treated in confidence.

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