HUNDREDS of local people took part in the Remembrance Service in Westbury High Street on Sunday, this year marking the centenary of the end of World War 1, which was also marked with a beacon lighting ceremony later in the evening.
The morning parade through Westbury of cadets, veterans and community groups, ended at the war memorial with a service led by Rev. Rhona Floate and Rev. Ward Jones, who addressed the crowd of over 500 people. Representatives of the local groups and organisations then marched forward to lay a wreath in remembrance, in front of the yarn-bombed memorial. Thanks were given to knitters around the town including members of the church, E J Crafts and the knitters at Woolly Wednesdays amongst others, for their knitted donations.
The mayor, cllr Ian Cunningham said, “The Remembrance service on Sunday morning was a fitting tribute to those who served our country.
“It was well attended – the police said they estimated over 500 people; we had produced 250 orders of service in anticipation of larger numbers, but were delighted but a little surprised that quite so many came to pay their respects and remember.
“Thank you to all who organised and participated in this event. It was a fitting act of remembrance for those who served from our town.”
Later in the evening on the hills of the White Horse, members of Westbury Town Council, Wiltshire Council, invited guests and residents gathered around the beacon as part of a national beacon-lighting event called ‘Battle’s Over’.
A ceremony of readings and the Roll of Honour for Westbury was read by Rev. Rhona Floate, Rev.Ward Jones, the mayor, cllr Ian Cunningham and town crier John Hadfield, before the beacon was lit in remembrance. Guests Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Sarah Rose Troughton, and leader of Wiltshire Council, Baroness Jane Scott, both shared their own stories. Other guests included Colonel Lucy Giles, the new president of the AOSB in Westbury, Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Field, and representatives from local councils and other organisations.
Mayor of Westbury, cllr Ian Cunningham said, “It was a well-organised event that gave a proper feeling of respect and remembrance. I’d like to pass on thanks to the town council staff, particularly Julie Dyer, Deborah Urch, Andrew Thomas and Martin Dawson, the councillors led by cllr Sheila Kimmins, and the many volunteers who worked so hard to organise this event.
“I’d also like to thank all those residents who braved the wind to take part in the ceremony. I felt very proud of Westbury.”
Click the picture below to view the Remembrance picture special on our digital edition.
