PUPILS from schools across the Farnham area paid their respects at the Gostrey Meadow war memorial on Friday.

The fourth annual school’s Armistice Day service was again organised by Fearnhamme School Confederation, a partnership of 18 schools in and around Farnham.

Shortly before 11am, a small contingent of the British Legion, representatives of the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment and Sea Cadets paraded to Gostrey Meadow’s war memorial.

They were met by pupils, members of the public, community representatives and local dignitaries to remember those who lost their lives serving in the country’s armed forces, particularly those with links to Farnham and the surrounding area.

After a few words of welcome from the Mayor of Farnham, Mike Hodge, the vice chairman of the Farnham branch of the Royal British Legion, Debbie Hunter, read ‘What is Remembrance’.

This was followed a reading of ’They Shall Grow Not Old’ by the Deputy Lieutenant of Surrey Commander Susan Lochner and four older pupils from Weydon and Heath End schools.

At 11am, the standard bearer lowered the flag and bugler Jonathan Osborne from the Sea Cadets played The Last Post before all those in attendance observed a two-minute silence.

This was followed by the reading of poems specially written for the occasion by younger pupils of South Farnham and William Cobbett schools, and the laying of wreaths and crosses.

After the ceremony the pupils joined the mayor, Deputy Lieutenant and other guests for a reception in the council chamber.

Further Remembrance Day services to commemorate the fallen servicemen and women of the two world wars onwards will take place across Farnham on Sunday:

*Badshot Lea - Meet at St George’s Church at 10am for a service, then to the village war memorial at 10.50am.

*Farnham - Meet at the war memorial for 10.45am. At 11am, everybody will pause for a two-minute silence which will be followed by the laying of wreaths. After the service there will be a march and the morning will conclude with a service at St Andrew’s Church.

*Hale - Beginning at 9.30am with a service at St John’s Church then to the war memorial at 10.45am. There’s also a service for all ages at St Mark’s Church at 11.15am.

*Weybourne - A service will take place at the war memorial at the later time of 4pm followed by refreshments in the village hall.