Remembrance Week: 5-11 November

Greater Manchester's war heroes past and present are remembered at services and events leading up to Armistice Day (11 November). But there are some really eye-catching events in Greater Manchester...

A wall of poppies

In Oldham, the 200-foot tall civic centre has been turned into a spectacular wall of poppies with the one of the UK's largest ever projections.

A wall of poppies

The Remembrance Week Poppy Projection shows a group of red Flanders poppies set against a white background with the word 'Remember'.

The 10,000 sq ft image can be seen from across Manchester and even as far as Merseyside and the Wirral!

However, the best vantage points are Oldham Magistrates Court, Three Crowns pub on Manchester Street, Ashton Road, and in Manchester the Beetham Tower and CIS Tower.

Councillor Howard Sykes, Leader of Oldham Council, said the authority was proud to show its support for the Royal British Legion's 2009 Poppy Appeal.

"At a time when every week brings us news of casualties amongst our forces in Afghanistan, the sacrifices others undertake to protect our freedoms are very clear."

The Remembrance Week Poppy Projection can be seen from 5th - 11th November, between 5.15pm each night and midnight.

Learn more about war

Shards of war: the Imperial War Museum North

The Imperial War Museum North is hosting a number of events during Remembrance Week aimed at helping younger visitors understand the sacrifices made by British servicemen and women.

On Remembrance Sunday, 8 November, a theatrical show for children, 'What A Performance', tells the engaging tale of Violet, who took a job in a munitions factory as her husband was recruited to the armed services during the First World War.

For those interested in researching the stories of old soldiers in their family, there are family history drop in sessions on Saturday 7 November and Sunday 8 November from 10am to 4pm.

And at 11am on Sunday 8 November, visitors can pay their respects to those who lost their lives in defence of their country, as the sound of bagpipes echo throughout the Museum.

The museum is also hosting a special exhibition on British soldiers held captive during the Second World War.

Captured: The Extraordinary Life of Prisoners of War will run until 3 January 2009.

For more information, visit the Imperial War Museum North website

Remembrance Sunday events

If you're interested in attending a Remembrance Sunday event, there are services and processions across Greater Manchester.

In Manchester city centre, a procession will leave the Town Hall at 10.45am heading for the Cenotaph in St Peter's Square.

It will be led by the Lord Mayor Councillor Alison Firth with representatives from the Navy, Army, Air Force, Royal British Legion, Duke of Lancaster's Regiment as well as faith leaders.

The city will also mark Armistice Day on Wednesday 11 November, with a two-minute silence observed at 11am.

The start and finish of the silence will be signified with the firing of a maroon from the roof of the Town Hall.

Remembrance Sunday events will also be held in Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan.

For more information, visit your local council website