HUNDREDS of people turned out for the annual Redditch Remembrance Sunday parade and service in another record-breaking year for attendances.
By 10.30am Alcester Street was jammed with people as the parade made its way up to the war memorial by St Stephen’s.
As they marched Redditch MP Rachel Maclean, Beatrice Grant the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire, Borough Mayor Coun Ann Isherwood leader of the council, Coun Matt Dormer and leader of the borough’s Labour group Coun Joe Baker stood in tribute as the column made its way to Church Green.
The service was led by Revd Paul Lawlor, the vicar of St Stephen’s.
He said: “For some of us, we remember people we have learnt and heard about. Some of us will be remembering people we have known well.
“As the years pass, more of us are remembering things that we’ve learnt, or be recalling other conflicts that re happening in the recent past, or in the present.
“Whichever form of remembering it is, whenever we look at the effect of war our hearts bleed.
“The red of the poppies we wear reminds us of bloodshed, blood shed so that we can live here with the freedoms we have, blood shed so that others in this world can live lives of freedom.
“Let us seek to be people that hope for a better future.”
Also present at the service were members of the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force, Cadets, Scouts, Girl Guides, Cubs and Beavers, and veterans.
The final act of remembrance was the laying of wreaths at the foot of the monument, and this year there was more than ever.
Representatives from Redditch’s Ukrainian community joined by MP Rachel Maclean.
A representative from the Ukrainian community in Redditch laid a wreath, in honour of the soldiers fighting the war in Ukraine.
As they were laying the wreath, the crowd burst into a spontaneous round of applause.
A spokesperson from the Redditch Royal British Legion said: “Excellent turn out from the town for today’s Remembrance Service. Thank you to everyone involved the in organising and planning to make it such a successful day.
“As we come together in Remembrance for our Armed Forces this year, we remember the service and sacrifice of all those that have defended our freedoms and protected our way of life.
“We pay tribute to Her late Majesty The Queen, the Royal British Legion’s Patron of 70 years and longest serving Commander-in-Chief of the British military.”
Click here to view the service.
