THE MARKET town of Alcester fell silent this morning (Sunday) as people lined the streets to mark this year’s Remembrance Sunday to honour and respect those who lost their lives in conflict.
Led by the Alcester Victoria Silver Band, members of Alcester’s branch of the Royal British Legion – including serving members of HM Forces , veterans and the army cadet force – the parade marched from Bleachfield Street, down the High Street and into the grounds of St Nicholas Church.
Reverend Adrian Guthrie led a short service at the war memorial on Church Green where numerous wreaths were laid by no-less-than 31 organisations.
The congregation joined Rev Guthrie in prayer and hymns before the emotive lines of Robert Binyon’s lines from ‘For the Fallen’ were spoken aloud by those assembled and the Last Post sounded followed by two minutes silence at 11am and The Reveille.
Rev Guthrie led those present in a prayer for the fallen and the living:
“Ever-living God, we remember those whom you have gathered from the storms of war into the peace of your presence; may that same peace calm our fears, bring justice to all peoples and establish harmony among the nations, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.”
Following the address, the congregation proceeded into St Nicholas for the blessing where they were urged to Love Thy Neighbour and heard the story of the Good Samaritan.
After the rousing address from Rev Guthrie, the parade re-grouped and marched to the Town Hall where the serving members of HM Forces, veterans and the army cadet force were dismissed.
Dave Malin, secretary of Alcester’s Royal British Legion and organiser of the town’s Poppy Appeal said: “It has been a fantastic day with probably one of the biggest parades we have seen for a few years.
“The turnout by the people of the town was fantastic – it’s been amazing from start to finish.”
Redditch remembers:
Studley remembers:
