More than 600 pupils gathered at Ripon Cathedral on Monday to remember members of the Armed Forces who lost their lives in service.
Children and young people from 29 North Yorkshire schools attended the Festival of Remembrance on 9th November.
Now in its 14th year, the event is organised by North Yorkshire Council’s service children’s champion, Angela Campbell.
This year’s theme was ‘belonging’. An exhibition called ‘You Belong Here’ featured self-portraits by 355 children from military families across 25 schools, alongside poems about belonging written by pupils at Carnagill Primary School.
Musicians from Ripon Grammar School accompanied the hymns, while the Service Children’s Community Choir performed Dolly Parton’s ‘If You Hadn’t Been There’.
Cllr Janet Sanderson, North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for children and families, attended the service.
Cllr Sanderson said:
“These services are not only a poignant act of remembrance, but a beautiful celebration of the identity and achievements of the military children whose families make such an important contribution to our county.
“Service children can face challenges as part of military family life, whether that's moving schools, making new friends or coping with the deployment of loved ones.
"This festival gives them the opportunity to come together, reflect, celebrate their experiences and recognise that they belong to a wider community that understands and supports them.”
The council’s Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Kevin Foster, who served as a reservist for 30 years, contributed £450 from his locality budget to support the choir.
Guests included the Dean of Ripon, the Very Rev John Dobson, Countess Peel, Deputy Lord Lieutenant for North Yorkshire, and senior military representatives.
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