This year Westbury will again fall silent on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th November as it remembers those who gave their lives for their country in two World Wars, and many worldwide conflicts since.
The act of remembrance on both Armistice Day, the 11th November, and on Remembrance Sunday 12th, is always well supported, and it is hoped that this year will be no different.
The Remembrance Sunday service is being organised by Westbury Town Council and will take place at its usual location in front of the town war memorial at the end of the High Street. Many local organisations have been represented in the past, either as part of a marching contingent or by laying a wreath.
This year, and following a continuing trend, the area will be ‘yarn bombed’ with poppies. Organised by Emma Simmonds, of EJ Crafts in Maristow Street, poppies are already coming in but more are always welcome. If you would like to knit a poppy or two for the ‘yarn bomb,’ contact Emma at her shop or via her Facebook page E J Crafts.
A summary of the timings for the Act of Remembrance on Saturday 11th and the Remembrance Sunday Service the following day are below:
Saturday 11th November – Armistice Day
10.45am – Mayor, member of Westbury Royal British Legion and public are invited to gather at the War Memorial at the end of the high street.
10.50am – A short act of prayers and Remembrance led by Rev Rhona Floate.
10.58am – The Exhortation – The Mayor of Westbury, Cllr Gordon King
11.00am – 2 minutes’ silence
11.02am – Kohima Epitaph – The Mayor
11.03am – Wreath laying – Army Officer Selection Board
11.05am – Closing prayers – Rev Rhona Floate
Sunday 12th November –
Remembrance Sunday
9.00am – Town centre roads closed
10.15am – Veterans and uniformed organisations assemble in Edward Street (adjacent to Morrisons)
10.25am – Parade to step off under control of Parade Marshall
10.30am – Members of the public are invited to gather in the High Street.
10.35am – All wreath layers to assemble at the far end of the High Street
10.40am – Remembrance Service starts
10.58am – The Exhortation – The Mayor of Westbury, Cllr Gordon King, followed by The Last Post
11.00am – 2 minutes’ silence observed, followed by Reveille
11.05am – Laying of wreaths at the War Memorial
11.25am – Closing hymn – Onward Christian Soldiers, followed by the Act of Commitment
11.30am – National Anthem
11.35am – Remembrance Service finishes
12.00pm – Town centre roads re-open.
There will be a collection for The Royal British Legion during the closing hymn of ‘Onward Christian Soldiers.’
If you are an organisation who would like a representative to lay a wreath at the Remembrance Sunday service then please get in touch with Verity on 01373 822232 or email verity.bartlett@westburytowncouncil.gov.uk. All wreaths are still to be ordered individually by the organisation through Bill Prior from the Westbury branch of The Royal British Legion.
