HUNDREDS joined members of the Royal British Legion, councillors and community leaders at the Triangle on Saturday in falling silent at 11am to remember those who gave their lives in the first world war. Teignmouth mayor Cllr Geoff Bladon praised the number of people who made a special effort to come and observe the two-minute silence and also to the 2,000 who attended the remembrance parade on Remembrance Sunday. 'Large numbers attended the war memorial on Sunday and even our warrant officer, who was on crutches, refused to stay at home. 'It was a marvellous service,' he said at Tuesday's full council meeting. Cllr Bladon led the wreath- laying followed by the president of Teignmouth RBL Colin Jones and on behalf of Teignbridge MP Richard Younger-Ross, his wife Sue. More than 32 wreaths were laid. Church of England reader Arthur Brooks led the service of remembrance. The parade, accompanied by the Torbay Brass Band, assembled at The Point and veterans, RBL members, the civic party, standard bearers of ex-service and other organisations marched to the war memorial. Remembrance committee chairman Cllr Vince Fusco said that the event was 'marvellous'. 'It truly was excellent and I had so many kind comments, particularly about the brass band that did an excellent job, 'Thanks must go to the band, the RNLI for firing the maroon and Arthur Brooks, who led the prayers and added to the solemnity of what was a very memorable occasion.' The mayor's secretary, Pat Rowley, was presented with a bouquet of flowers for her hard work in making the weekend a success. Secretary of the committee Marion Long, made the surprise presentation at Tuesday's council meeting. Cllr Fusco paid tribute: 'It's a great honour on behalf of the committee to recognise Pat Rowley in enabling such a successful event. She went out of her way in compiling the day's agenda, sending invites and producing more than 1,300 programmes of which we have just 25 left. 'It shows how many people attended on the day,' he said. In Shaldon, an informal two-minute silence was observed at the war memorial for Armistice Day and an Act of Remembrance held on Sunday. In Bishopsteignton, parishioners gathered with members of the RBL at the war memorial on Saturday. An ecumenical service at St John the Baptist Church followed the laying of wreaths on Sunday.
