Beneath darkening skies, but with the rain holding off, 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 9, as it does so movingly each year.
The parade set off from Holy Trinity Church, followed by an introduction and prayers from Dave Murray of the Baptist Church.
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, by Robin Wright from the Royal British Legion.
Colonel Jane Thompson, Deputy Lieutenant, laid a wreath on behalf of the King. Representatives from the RBL, the Royal Navy, the Air Force, the Army, the Churches of Westbury-on-Trym and the young people of the village were then invited to lay a wreath at the War Memorial, with an opportunity for any other organisation not in the parade – including our Emergency Services – to also lay a wreath. The Kohima Prayer followed, read by Colonel Thompson.
As part of the Act of Remembrance, two names were remembered from each of the 1st and 2nd World Wars, with their poignant stories told by Phil James and Dianne Yeandel from the Parish Church. Following a reading from Rev Teddy Kolongo from the Methodist Church, hymns and prayers, the parade concluded with the singing of the National Anthem.
As ever, the parade attracted a large crowd from our communities, with people young and old joining together to pay tribute and remember. One commented afterwards: “What a moving and special morning”, noting: “in the final minutes of the service, a few golden leaves fluttered down amongst the crowd. It was beautiful and also surreal.”
The event was organised this year on behalf of the community by the PCC of Holy Trinity Church. The Vicar, Father 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 (see the QR code below).
However, it is important to note that any money collected on the day will go to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.