As it does so movingly every year, the community of Westbury-on-Trym and surrounding areas paid tribute to the Fallen at its Remembrance Day parade through the village on Sunday November 10.
The parade set off from Holy Trinity Church, led by the band of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets 2442 Squadron, with prayers from Dave Murray of the Baptist Church.
Arriving at the Cenotaph in the centre of the village shortly before 11am, Colonel Jane Thompson, Deputy Lieutenant, laid a wreath on behalf of the King, while representatives from the Royal British Legion, the Air Force, the Army, the Churches of Westbury-on-Trym and the young people of the village were also invited to lay a wreath.
At precisely 11am, the powerful sound of the Last Post rang out. The Standards were dipped by representatives from local Scouts and Brownies groups, who stood lining the parade area in commendable reverence. The two-minute silence concluded with the Reveille and the Exhortation, read by Chris Johnson from the Royal British Legion. The wreaths were then laid, with an opportunity for any other organisation not in the parade to also lay a wreath. Finally, Colonel Jane Thompson read the Kohima Prayer.
As part of the act of Remembrance, two names were remembered from both 1st and 2nd World Wars and, following readings and prayers, the parade concluded with the singing of the National Anthem.
As ever, the parade attracted a large crowd from our communities, along with the three local councillors, Stephen Williams, Caroline Gooch and Nicholas Coombes.
The event was organised this year on behalf of the community by the PCC of Holy Trinity Church. The Vicar, Andre Hart, has been instrumental in ensuring that this long-established act of Remembrance continues. The cost of staging the event fell on the PCC of Holy Trinity Church, which continues to welcome any contributions towards the cost from the community However, it is important to note that any money collected on the day will go to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.