LEICESTER will come together to remember its fallen service men and women in the annual Remembrance Day service.
People will be able to pay their respects at the War Memorial in Victoria Park, on Sunday, November 12.
The service will involve a parade, led by the Seaforth Highlanders Pipes and Drums, made up of members of the Armed Forces, reservists, veterans and cadets, which will step off from De Montfort Hall at approximately 10.45am and will make its way to the Arch of Remembrance ready for the service at 10.55am.
The Right Rev the Lord Bishop of Leicester, Martyn Snow, will conduct the service with support from former BBC Radio Leicester presenter, Dave Andrews. A bugler will sound the Last Post before the two minutes of silence, which will be marked with the firing of salutes at both the beginning and end of the silence. A piper from the Seaforth Highlanders will play a lament before the service continues.
Members of the public should note that salutes create a very loud bang and may cause alarm or distress, particularly to young children and pets.
Official wreaths will be laid by the Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Mike Kapur OBE and The Lord Mayor of Leicester, Councillor Dr Susan Barton, together with representatives from local emergency services, military units and faith representatives. There will be an opportunity for members of the public to lay wreaths at the end of the service.
The Salvation Army will accompany hymns, supported by the City of Leicester Singers and the Leicester Cathedral Choir.
Limited public seating will be available on a first come first served basis and there will be a designated seating area for those with a disability or who are unable to stand for long periods.
A returning parade will step off through the War Memorial and back onto Centenary Walk at the end of the service, returning to the front of De Montfort Hall.
Granville Road car park will be closed from midnight on the Saturday until around 1pm on Sunday, November 12, and vehicles should not be left overnight in the car park.
A limited number of spaces for disabled and blue badge holders will be available in the car park, accessed from London Road only.
Spaces should be booked in advance through the Member and Civic Support Team at lord.mayor@leicester.gov.uk or by calling 0116 454 0020 by close of play on Thursday, November 9.
Road closures will be in operation on both Granville Road and Regent Road from 9.30am until 12.30pm on the Sunday. Access will be available for residents of Salisbury Road.
Leicester Lord Mayor Councillor Dr Susan Barton said: “I am humbled to be able to lay a wreath on behalf of the people of Leicester as we come together to remember those whose lives have been lost in the tragedy of war and armed conflict and those who mourn them.”
Leicester’s Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Sarah Russell, added: “The Remembrance Day service is a chance for communities everywhere to pay tribute to those who have lost their lives in armed conflicts over the years.
“It is an opportunity for us all to reflect on the sacrifices made on our behalf, both in past wars and in more recent times.”
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