Young and old joined together as a Dereham high school held their first Remembrance Day service in affiliation with the Royal British Legion (RBL).

Eastern Daily Press: Local school children joined Northgate High School pupils for Armistice Day service. Picture: Ian BurtLocal school children joined Northgate High School pupils for Armistice Day service. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Northgate High School welcomed staff, students, and guests to join them in a service of remembrance held on Friday, November 10.

The school invited guests from the RBL to participate in the ceremony, as Northgate was the first school in Norfolk to affiliate with the charity, earlier this year.

They brought two military vehicles to the service to show the students, which were especially enjoyed by the primary school-aged attendees.

Other guests included representatives from the 1st Queen's Dragoon Guards, the emergency services, and schools from the Unity Education Trust.

Eastern Daily Press: In Flanders Fields was read by Mrs Graves during the Armistice Day service held at Northgate High School in Dereham. Picture: Ian BurtIn Flanders Fields was read by Mrs Graves during the Armistice Day service held at Northgate High School in Dereham. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

Pupils were encouraged to wear their Guides, Scouts and air cadets uniforms to the event.

The service included singing and music, a minutes' silence, wreath laying, and poetry reading, including 'Flanders Field'.

Northgate students, staff, air cadets, and members of the RBL took turns to lay crosses and poppies onto a memorial, in memory of the fallen.

Read more: Dereham school becomes the first in Norfolk to be affiliated with the Royal British Legion

Eastern Daily Press: Wreaths and crosses laid at Northgate High School. Picture: Ian BurtWreaths and crosses laid at Northgate High School. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2017)

The school's remembrance event has been organised for the past five years by alternative provision co-ordinator Callum MacDonald, a former soldier.

He said: 'Its all too easy to just do it on a small scale, but it really makes the students think when you involve the right people.

'I'll continue to do this every year - I want to do a big one next year, for the 100 years since 1918.'

Glyn Hambling, CEO of Unity Education Trust, said: 'Its absolutely essential that everyone associated with the trust has an opportunity to understand the sacrifices made throughout time.

'We want the children to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

'Its an integral part of our citizenship curriculum.'

He added that Northgate High School is immensely proud of its new affiliation with the RBL.

Mike Salt, a former chair of governors at Northgate, spoke during the service about the men who fought in Asia during the Second World War.

The head of school thanked organisations and charities from the community for joining the school in their remembrance.

And Hugh King, RBL secretary for the Dereham branch, thanked Northgate for all their hard work in organising the service.

Read more: Norfolk and Suffolk's roll of honour

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