Cambridgeshire set to honour the fallen
A series of services are planned across the region in memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice
Commemorations are to take place across the county to mark Remembrance Day on Friday, November 11.
The Guildhall will again be the focus of quiet reflection in Cambridge, as the mayor, Jeremy Benstead, leads a two-minute silence at 11am.
At the same time, the deputy mayor, Marie Louise Holland, will attend the Veterans’ Day Service at the Cambridge American Military Cemetery in Madingley.
The acts of remembrance continue on Sunday. Joe Ajayi-Obe, chairman of the Cambridge branch of the Royal British Legion, comfirmed the plans for this year’s ceremony on Hills Road: “The roads will be closed from 10.15am and attendees will assemble on Station Road at the junction with Tenison Road at 10.30am. The service in front of the memorial starts around 10.50am.” About 500-600 veterans, dignitaries, university representatives and members of the public are expected.
IWM Duxford is hosting a day of commemorative activities to pay tribute to all those who have lost their lives in conflict, and will be observing a two-minute silence at 11am. Admission will be free to all and a traditional service of remembrance, led by Reverend Philip Sharkey, will be held at 1pm in the Conservation Hall.
Activities taking place at the museum throughout the day include poppy making (between 10.30am and 2.30pm) and the opportunity to chat to Royal Anglian Regiment veterans from the 1st Battalion The Vikings (between 11.30am and 12.30pm).
At 12.30pm, RAF cadets and standard bearers will lead a march accompanied by Sawston Boys and Girls Brigade, which will start on the hangar base and proceed to the conservation hall in preparation for the aforementioned service of remembrance.
During the service, IWM Duxford’s partner organisations will lay wreaths in honour of the fallen and a choral piece will be performed by In Voco Parentis, the parents’ and friends’ choir of King’s College School.
Following the Service, an historic de Havilland Dragon Rapide aircraft will fly alongside the AirSpace exhibition building and scatter poppy petals, a poignant tribute to the men and women who served at RAF Duxford.
Among the many services across Cambridgeshire, Bottisham Royal British Legion will be holding a service in Lode this year. Anyone wishing to attend the wreath-laying ceremony should meet in the village car park at 10.30am. A church service at St James’s will follow.
Bryan Jones, the Royal British Legion’s membership support officer for Cambridgeshire, has noticed more people at ceremonies in recent years.
“People maybe didn’t realise they were welcome, but it’s open to anybody and everybody who wants to come along,” he said.
