WESTBURY will be able to come together to honour the fallen of two world wars and conflicts since then, at the town’s Remembrance service, which will be held this Sunday, November 14th, at the War Memorial in the High Street at 10.45am, with a two-minute silence at 11.00am.
Residents will be given the opportunity to commemorate the service and sacrifice of those who fought and wreaths will be laid on behalf of the Royal British Legion, Westbury Town Council, and local groups and organisations.
The Kohima Epitaph will be read by the mayor, cllr Sheila Kimmins, and reflections will be made by the deputy mayor, cllr Ward Jones, and representatives from the local churches will lead hymns and readings.
A council spokesperson said, “Westbury will again fall quiet to remember those that have fallen, on Remembrance Sunday.
“Westbury Town Council and the Royal British Legion will mark the day with a Remembrance Service at the town war memorial. Those that wish to lay a wreath can contact the Royal British Legion about where to collect them before the service. Wreath-layers will be invited to pay their respects after the order of service has been read out by the town’s clergy and town mayor.
“The traditional singing of the national anthem will be accompanied by playing from the Trowbridge Youth Band. Residents are welcome to join. It will be a normal service with people just asked to respect others and give them space etc.”
Visit the town council website or call 01373 822 232 for the wreath laying order. Any queries about the Remembrance Service can be directed to events@westburytowncouncil.gov.uk
This year’s event, on Sunday 14th November, will be the first that the community is being encouraged to attend in person, after last year’s event was held ‘virtually’ because of Covid restrictions.
Remembrance Exhibition
WARTIME memories and medals are part of a special Remembrance exhibition at Westbury’s new heritage centre.
Visitors to the centre in the library will be able to read the newspapers tracing the progress of the war, see gas masks and ARP tin helmets, look at photographs and enjoy the wide range of propaganda posters.
Exhibits on display include a WW1 roll of honour from the Laverton mills, identity cards, ration cards and even a couple of clothing stamps. There are reminders too of the role Westbury played in the wars, including photographs of a crashed aeroplane, pictures of the Home Guard and of WW1 soldiers outside the swimming baths in Church Street. The pool had been covered and provided barracks for soldiers.
Westbury played host to Italian and German prisoners of war in WW2, with camps at Eden Vale, the Ham and Oldfield Road. One of the items in the heritage exhibition is a little painted wooden basket made by the prisoners of war – just one among many items made by them.
There are reminders of convalescence hospitals too – Heywood House played its part in WW1 and Leighton House in the second war.
“We would really love people to come along and tell us of their wartime experiences too – among our future plans is an oral history project, so we can capture the memories and experiences of Westbury people”, said Heritage Society chair Sally Hendry.
The exhibition started on Friday 29th October and will run for three weeks.
Next up is a Christmas exhibition packed with toys we may or may not remember, together with a host of seasonal heritage treats for sale including Westbury calendars.
The heritage centre opened in its new venue in September. It is open on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday morning. Find out more at www.westburyheritagesociety.org.uk
