From parades and services to a Festival of Remembrance, Telford and Wrekin remembers
Residents across the Borough are being invited to come together this November to remember and honour the service and sacrifice of Armed Forces personnel, veterans and all those who gave their lives in service to their country.
Telford & Wrekin Council will host two civic events as part of this year's commemorations, with residents invited to attend the Mayor's Festival of Remembrance on Sunday 8 November and the Wreath Laying Service at the Town Park War Memorial on Armistice Day, Wednesday 11 November.
The Mayor's Festival of Remembrance will take place at St George's Church on Sunday 8 November, bringing together residents for an evening of reflection, music and remembrance. The event will start at 7pm and provides an opportunity for residents to reflect, remember and pay tribute to all those who have served their country and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
On Armistice Day, the Council's annual Wreath Laying Service will take place at the Town Park War Memorial. The service will begin at 10.30am, with the national two-minute silence observed at 11am. The ceremony will also be livestreamed on the Council’s Facebook page for those unable to attend in person.
Alongside these civic commemorations, a wide range of events will take place across Telford and Wrekin, with Town and Parish Councils, churches and local organisations hosting services, parades and acts of remembrance throughout the Borough.
Events begin on Friday 6 November with a Remembrance Service at Dawley House and a Poppy Dance hosted by Great Dawley Town Council and the Royal British Legion. On Remembrance Sunday, services and parades will be held across the Borough including in Dawley, Madeley, Newport, Oakengates, Wellington, Lawley, Donnington, Muxton, Aqueduct, Edgmond, Waters Upton and Kynnersley, with further commemorations taking place on Armistice Day.
Councillor Paul Davis, Telford & Wrekin Council's Cabinet Member for Communities and Civic Pride, said:
"Every Remembrance event, whether it's a large civic ceremony or a gathering at a local war memorial, gives us an opportunity to reflect on the courage, service and sacrifice of those who have served our country.
"We're proud to host the Mayor's Festival of Remembrance and the Wreath Laying Service as part of this year's commemorations and would encourage residents to join us if they can.
"These events, alongside the many services, parades and community acts of remembrance taking place across the Borough, demonstrate the deep respect and gratitude our communities continue to hold for serving personnel, veterans and all those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Together, we will ensure their service and sacrifice are never forgotten.”
Councillor Lee Carter, Leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, added:
"Remembrance is about recognising the extraordinary courage and selflessness of those who have served in our Armed Forces, defending the freedoms and way of life that we enjoy today.
"It is also a time to honour and remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. Their bravery, and the sacrifices made by their families and loved ones, must never be forgotten.
"As communities across Telford and Wrekin come together this November, we remember those who served in past conflicts, those serving today and all members of our Armed Forces community. By pausing to reflect, we ensure their service, sacrifice and legacy continue to be remembered by future generations."
A full list of Remembrance events taking place across the Borough can be found on the Telford & Wrekin Council website at: www.telford.gov.uk/twremembers