THE dale paused to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice at the 11am on Wednesday last week.
In Barnard Castle, Andrew Nicholson played the Last Post on Armistice Day above the cenotaph at The Bowes Museum.
A handful of people gathered to pay their respects.
Two minutes of silence was observed before Mr Nicholson played the Reveille to mark the end of the act of remembrance.
Residents said they could hear him from as far as Darlington Road and in Startforth.
A socially distanced gathering also took place in the memorial garden in Galgate.
Barnard Castle School gathered for the first time in eight months, separated by social distancing on the sports fields, but united in song, as they remembered the country’s fallen heroes.
Four more names were added to the roll of honour at Barnard Castle School, former students freshly identified by researchers Dot Jones and Malcolm McCallum. Their names were read out by students in recognition of the ultimate sacrifice they made in past conflicts.
John William Ernest Ross, K Cazaley, Richard Haseltine Jones and William Brown Ewan were all members of Northumberland House and were among the 208 Old Barnardians who went to two world wars, never to return.
Headmaster Tony Jackson said: “It is wonderful to bring the entire school together albeit outdoors, scattered across our playing fields.
“Our strength is our community and this year the Remembrance service has been like no other. But while lockdown and the pandemic have been tough on families, on income, on mental health, this time of year helps bring us a sense of perspective.”
Mr Jackson and Laura Turner, headmistress of the Preparatory School, placed wreathes at a large poppy which had been painted onto the playing field grass.
Senior teacher John Gedye also placed a wreath on behalf of the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham Sue Snowdon who was unable to attend in person because of Covid -19 restrictions.
In other events, five Holmedale parishes presented a united Remembrance Service in Hutton Magna ahead of a national coronavirus lockdown.
Church wardens from Barningham, Hutton Magna, Wycliffe, Gilling West and Ravensworth organised the service at St Mary’s Church within days of the Prime Minister’s lockdown announcement, moving the service forward from November 8.
The service was led by Revd Antony Kirby.
He said: “I had a little chat with Marian [Lewis, church warden].
“We thought it was better to do it now rather than not at all.
“It is very important to remember those from across the benefice of Holmedale who died for our freedom.”
