There will be services, parades and the laying of wreaths across the Caerphilly County Borough on November 9 to mark Remembrance Sunday.
At 11am on November 11, 1918, an Armistice was signed, bringing an end to the four years of war that killed 16 million people.
To mark 100 years since the start of World War One, a special exhibition will be open in Oakdale Community Centre, featuring the stories of the fallen and some of those who survived the war, including memorabilia loaned by local families.
The exhibition runs from 11am to 3pm on November 8, and until 1pm on Remembrance Sunday. It is accompanied by a booklet, Oakdale’s Lost Generation, researched by residents, that tells the story of Oakdale’s war casualties.
Oakdale was a new village still being built when war started in 1914. The newly-opened colliery attracted men to relocate from all over the country and families were drawn by the high quality of housing offered.
This air of optimism was shattered by the war and poignant news of the deaths of those young men who had enlisted.
On Remembrance Sunday, following a parade from Oakdale Post Office at 10.40am, a cross will be planted for each of the 34 men from the village who died in the war.
Remembrance weekend begins on Friday November 7 with a children’s service at the Twyn in Caerphilly town at 11am.
On Saturday November 8 there is a laying of wreaths at Pontllanfraith House at 1.30pm followed by a Service at St Augustine’s Church.
On Remembrance Sunday services take place in Blackwood, Cefn Fforest, Maesycwmmer, Caerphilly, Llanbradach, Abertysswg, Rhymney, Pengam, Cwmfelinfach, Wyllie, Gelligaer, Tir-Y-Birth, Cwmcarn, Abercarn, Fochriw, Deri, Pontlottyn, Aberbargoed, Risca, Ystrad Fawr Hospital, Bargoed, Markham and Newbridge.
Cllr David Carter, the Mayor of Caerphilly County Borough will attend the laying of the wreaths on Sunday November 9 at St. Gwladys Church, Bargoed at 11am, Maesycwmmer Community Garden at 12.30pm and The Twyn, Caerphilly at 3pm.
There will also be services to mark Armistice Day on Tuesday November 11 at Market Place, Blackwood, at 11am, that the Mayor will also attend, and Memorial Garden in Risca at 10.30am.
See below for a full list of remembrance services
Friday November 7
The Twyn, Caerphilly. Children’s Service, Planting of Crosses, 11am
Saturday November 8
Pontllanfraith House. Laying of wreaths at 1.30pm followed by service at St Augustine’s Church, Pontllanfraith at 2pm.
Sunday November 9
Oakdale Post Office, 10.40am. Parade to Oakdale Square for service and laying of wreaths at 11.00am.
Blackwood Cenotaph, 11am. Service followed by laying of wreaths.
St Thomas’ Church, Cefn Fforest,10am. Service followed by parade to Cenotaph for laying of wreaths at 11am.
Maesycwmmer Community Garden, The Crescent, 12.30pm. Service and laying of wreaths.
St Martin’s Church, Caerphilly, 2.15pm. Parade to Cenotaph, The Twyn for service and laying of wreaths at 3pm.
Central Car Park, Llanbradach, 10.30am. Parade to Cenotaph for service and laying of wreaths at 11am.
Abertysswg Memorial, 10.30am. Service and laying of wreaths.
Rhymney Memorial, 11am. Service and laying of wreaths.
St David’s Cenotaph, Pengam, 11am. Laying of wreaths followed by service at St David’s Church.
Glanynant Memorial Garden, Cwmfelinfach, 10.45. Service and laying of wreaths.
Wyllie Cenotaphm 12pm. Service and laying of wreaths.
St Cattwg’s Church, Gelligaer, 11am. Service and laying of wreaths.
Tiryberth Memorial, Churchfield Close, 11am. Service and laying of wreaths.
Cwmcarn Cenotaph, 10am. Service and laying of wreaths for local school children and residents.
Abercarn Cenotaph, 11am. Service and laying of wreaths.
Deri Memorial, 11a m. Laying of wreaths followed by service at Deri Church.
Fochriw Memorial.For details of service please ring Councillor David Hardacre – 01443 831202
St Tyfaelog’s Church, Pontlottyn, 10am. Service followed by laying of wreaths at Pontlottyn Memorial.
Hills Community Church, Aberbargoed,10.15am. Service followed by parade to Memorial Garden for laying of wreaths
Rifleman Street, Risca,10.15am. Parade to Cenotaph for service and laying of wreaths at 11am. Parade back to Rifleman Street.
Memorial, Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr, 11am. Service and laying of wreaths.
St Gwlady’s Church, Bargoed, 11am. Service and laying of wreaths.
Markham Memorial,11am. Laying of wreaths followed by service at Markham Baptist Church
Assembly at Parry Square, Newbridge, 9.15am. Parade to St Paul’s Church for service followed by laying of wreaths at 11am.
Tuesday November 11
Market Place, Blackwood 11am. Armistice Day service – no wreaths
Memorial Garden adjacent to Risca Police Station 10.30am. Service and laying of wreaths.