ALONG with 25 others, I stood at the cenotaph in Oak Hill Park, Accrington. Gone was the once usual tread of processions, the many observers, the band or the skirl of the pipes, and the service - all part of the tradition on Armistice Sunday for 80 years.

Instead, there was just silence, and a flag lowered at half mast at 11 o'clock.

If only the honoured dead could have witnessed the spectacle.

Where were the other mourners? Why was there a "wheel-me-out" imitation cenotaph in front of the town hall?

Buses could have been laid on to ferry the aged and infirm to what has always been the focal point of the commemorations in Oak Hill, Park. But now, with the years passing, the tradition has lost steam and those hundreds of fallen inscribed on the memorial will be visited by only an ardent few.

The usual words, "We will remember them," seemed to have a hollow ring when you counted the heads at what in future will be just artistic stone structures only seen when people visit the park.

K SOWERBUTTS (ex 7th Queen's Own Hussars), Southwood Drive, Baxenden.

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