A moving and poignant Remembrance ceremony took place at the Swansway Stadium on Saturday 7 November, ahead of Nantwich Town FC's Pitching In Northern Premier League – West Division fixture against Padiham FC.

Organised by the Nantwich & District Branch of the Royal British Legion in partnership with Nantwich Town Football Club, the ceremony paid tribute to the courage, service and sacrifice of British and Commonwealth military and civilian personnel in the two World Wars and subsequent conflicts.

Paul Fox, Poppy Appeal Organiser for the Nantwich & District Branch of the Royal British Legion, also assisted with a bucket collection in support of the annual Poppy Appeal.

The players and match officials were led onto the pitch by Rob Peel, a veteran of the Parachute Regiment and Standard Bearer for the Royal British Legion.

A poppy wreath on behalf of Nantwich Town FC was then laid in the centre circle by Frank Blunstone, President of the football club, former Crewe Alex, Chelsea and England international footballer, and a National Service veteran.

The wreath will subsequently be placed at Nantwich War Memorial in the town square during the town's Remembrance Sunday commemorations.

Bugler, Peter Jeeves, performed The Last Post and Reveille, with players, officials and supporters observing a perfectly observed one-minute silence in between.

Gary Johnson compered the ceremony, including the recitation of the famous Ode of Remembrance from the poem 'For the Fallen', written by English poet Laurence Binyon.

The words, "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", provided a particularly poignant moment.

Nantwich Town players also marked the occasion by wearing shirts featuring a poppy emblem.

David Hulse, Chairman of the Nantwich & District Branch of the Royal British Legion and a Nantwich Town FC steward, said: "We were delighted to witness a very appropriate act of remembrance. Thank you to everyone who donated to the Royal British Legion collection and to Nantwich Town Football Club and fans for their continued support."

The Royal British Legion supports the Armed Forces community and organises the annual Poppy Appeal.

The Nantwich & District Branch meets on the second Wednesday of each month at Willaston Social Club. This month, its AGM has been moved to Wednesday 18 November, as the usual second Wednesday falls on 11th November.

The branch works closely with local ex-service personnel and veterans' groups, including the Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Club, which meets monthly at the café inside Nantwich Market.

It also plays an important role in supporting Nantwich's annual Remembrance Parades and Services, while maintaining strong links with local cadet organisations, including 100 Squadron (Nantwich) Air Training Corps and Nantwich Army Cadet Force (1 Mercian).

READ MORE: History: Nantwich's lost Norman castle hiding in plain sight.

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