Events are happening across the Stroud district this week to mark Remembrance Day and the centenary of the Royal British Legion.
The pandemic reduced last year’s commemorations to small-scale events but this year organisers are encouraging people to attend services and parades to remember those who have given their lives.
Town Mayor Kevin Cranston said: “We very much hope that we will be able to mark this important day in the national calendar as normal. But if there is a sudden surge in Covid we will mark it in a scaled-down way like last year. Whatever happens, there will be some sort of Remembrance Service.”
Remembrance Day (Armistice Day) this year will fall on Thursday, November 11. Remembrance Sunday falls on November 14.
Services and parades are held across the country to remember and honour those who lost their lives in World War 1 and following conflicts.
As tradition, a two-minute silence is observed at 11am.
The first 2-miunte silence in the UK was observed on November 11, 1919, celebrating the day the war ended one year prior.
King George V declared: “”All locomotion should cease, so that, in perfect stillness, the thoughts of everyone may be concentrated on reverent remembrance of the glorious dead.”
Below is a list of events. If you know of others that we have missed let us know so we can add them to this guide. Email us at ash@stroudtimes.com
Remembrance Day, Thursday, November 11
Nailsworth
A wreath-laying ceremony will take place at 11 am – the Clock Tower, with a two minutes silence to be observed. The Mayor and the RBL President will lay wreaths.
Painswick
There will be a civic service held at the War Memorial, gathering to commence at 10.45 am.
Stonehouse
A short service on the Memorial Green commencing at 10:45 am. A roll-call of the names on the memorial will be read, with a two-minute silence at 11 am.
Remembrance Sunday, November 14
Nailsworth
The Parade will start from the Town Square at 10.40 am and those marching are asked to be present by 10.25 am.
Following the end of the parade, tea and coffee will be available in the Church Rooms.
Minchinhampton
There will be a service at Holy Trinity Church starting at 9.45 am. At the end of the service, a formal act of Remembrance will be conducted.
Rodborough
In Rodborough, they are planning to reinstall their Remembrance Trail to commemorate the lives of some of Rodborough’s soldiers.
Both Rodborough Parish Church St Mary Magdalene and Rodborough Tabernacle URC are holding a joint Remembrance Day service at Rodborough Parish Church on Sunday at 10.45 am.
Stonehouse
People are asked to gather at the Memorial Green before 11.50 am. The service will begin at 12pm to include a one-minute silence and the laying of the commemoration wreaths at the memorial.
Stroud
Stroud Town Council is organising a Remembrance Service at the War Memorial in Park Gardens, Slad Road, on Sunday.
The service will be just before the 11 am silence.
