The biggest crowds for many years stood in the rain to mark 100 years since the ending of the First World War in St Peter’s Square.
The service led by the Bishop of Manchester,The Rev. David Walker began with the firing of the cannon,followed by a two minute silence and a second firing of the cannon.
The service focused on the parts played by the many soldiers of the Empire with readings by several of the City’s faith leaders including irepresentatives from the Muslim, Afro-Caribbean Christian Churches, Sikh, Hindu, Jain and Jewish communities.
As the rain stopped the service ended with a march-past from the Cenotaph and passed Manchester Central Libraryobserved by the Lord Lieutenant, the Lord Mayor of Manchester and senior representatives from the Army, the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy.
Members of the public were then allowed to place their own tributes to loved one’s around the Cenotaph.
The day began at 6.00 am with a lone piper at Manchester Cathedral playing Battle’s O’er joining piped tributes around the UK.
At 12.30 the bells of Manchester Cathedral began ringing out replicating the national outpouring of relief that took place at the end of World War I as news of the Armistice filtered through and bells which had largely been silent during the conflict rang out.
