To commemorate the end of the Great War, the North East War Memorials Project organised a series of events which brought together the communities of the North East with representatives from Ypres, Somme and Arras.
In Saltwell Park a tree was planted together with soil from the battlefields of Ypres and the Somme. A ceremony was held as part of the commemoration. Civic leaders were joined by representatives from the Armed Forces, Veterans and cadets from Durham Army Cadet Force.
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| Saltwell Park |
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Saltwell Park
Opening Address
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Saltwell Park
Opening Address |
The soil from the battlefields of the Somme and Passchendaele was brought from Belgium and France in replica St Mary's Christmas Gift Tins by representatives from Ypres and the Somme.
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| Soil from Battlefields Somme and Passchendaele |
The two tins containing the soil from the battlefields was handed over to the cadets from Durham ACF and placed at the roots of the tree that will commemorate the Great War.
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Saltwell Park
Soil from the Battlefields of Belgium and France |
Saltwell Park
Soil from Battlefields of Somme and Passchendaele
The tree was 'planted' by the Mayors of Gateshead and Newcastle and representatives from Ypres, Arras and the Somme.
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Saltwell Park
Tree Planting Ceremony |
Following the tree planting ceremony an act of Remembrance was held to remember the sacrifices if the Great War.
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Saltwell Park
Regimental Associations Standards |
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Saltwell Park
Exhoration |
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
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Saltwell Park
Regimental Associations Standards lowered |
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Saltwell Park
Closing Prayers |
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Saltwell Park
British Army / US Army |
