Remembrance Day 2023: Our guide to events in Cambridge, Ely and across South Cambridgeshire

Cambridgeshire will fall silent to remember the fallen at services and ceremonies across the county this Remembrance Sunday (November 12).

There will also be events taking place on Remembrance Day, which falls on Saturday (November 11).

Many towns and villages are holding services or parades. Here is our guide to some of the events taking place.

Cambridge

On Sunday, shortly before 11am, the mayor of Cambridge, Cllr Jenny Gawthrope Wood, will be part of a procession from Station Road to the war memorial on Hills Road, where a wreath will be laid. Brass band Waterbeach Brass will again be accompanying the proceedings.

Representatives of different organisations, including the Armed Forces and the Royal British Legion, will then take part in a commemorative service at the memorial.

Vice Lord-Lieutenant Brigadier Tim Seal TD ADC will lay a wreath on behalf of His Majesty, King Charles III and, following the service, Vice Lord-Lieutenant and the mayor of Cambridge will inspect representatives of the Armed Forces on Station Road.

Road closures will be in place from 10.30am on Sunday on Station Road and Hills Road until 12pm.

Cllr Gawthrope Wood said: “It will be a privilege to represent the city of Cambridge to mark Remembrance Sunday. I hope people will be able to take a moment to remember the sacrifices made by so many of their fellow Cambridge residents – and to keep in their thoughts all people who have been affected by wars and conflict, and continue to be affected today.”

At the same time the deputy mayor, Cllr Baiju Thittala Varkey, will join a procession to the county, city and University of Cambridge’s annual service of remembrance at Great St Mary’s Church. For this service, attendees are asked to be seated by 10.45am.

Both services will pause at 11am for a two-minute silence which will be observed across the country.

As well as the service at Great St Mary’s, which will be led by Rev Dr (Wing Cdr) David Richardson – and at which Deputy Lieutenant Mr Christopher Walkinshaw will lay a wreath on behalf of His Majesty King Charles III – a service will also be held at Trinity College, starting at 10.55am.

South Cambridgeshire

Histon and Impington Parish Council will be staging a Remembrance Sunday parade and, as a result, the following road closures will be in place from 9am-10.30am: Station Road to Water Lane from the junction of Saffron Road and Station Road to Water Lane from the junction of Poplar Road.

There will also be a Remembrance Sunday parade in Melbourn. As in previous years, the High Street will be closed from 10.30-11.15am from the village car park to The Cross to allow for the parade.

There will also be a diversion in place via Norgetts Lane, Orchard Road and Mortlock Street. Traffic at The Cross will also be suspended for the Act of Remembrance at 11am.

Meanwhile, St John the Evangelist in Waterbeach and All Saints’ Church in Landbeach will be holding a Remembrance morning worship at 10am (after Holy Communion) on Sunday, followed by an Act of Remembrance at 10.50am.

Ely

In Ely, at approximately 10.50am on Saturday (November 11), there will be a short service to commemorate the signing of the Armistice on November 11, 1918, at the Ely War Memorial.

The service will include the laying of wreaths by the mayor, East Cambs District Council chairman and president of the City of Ely Royal British Legion Branch. The High Street will be closed from around 10.15-11.30am.

Then, on Sunday (November 12), a service will be held at Ely Cathedral, as well as a march through town, parade and Act of Remembrance in the Market Square.

This year, the organisers are hoping to begin with the short march from The Porta Gate, down The Gallery and to the cathedral, which will set off at 10am, weather permitting. Should weather conditions prevent this part of the day, all will report to Ely Cathedral for the service.

The Royal British Legion, City of Ely Military Band, standards and marching contingents are to take their places within the cathedral at about 10.15am, ahead of the service at 10.30am, which will include a two-minute silence at 11am and a spectacular poppy fall from the Lantern Tower.

At approximately 11.15am, the City of Ely Military Band, Standards and marching contingents will parade from Ely Cathedral via The Gallery, Minster Place, High Street to the Market Place for the wreath laying service at the Ely War Memorial concluding with a further two-minute silence followed by a march past the war memorial to take the salute from the attending dignitary.

The following road closures will be in place on Sunday:

- 9.50-11.30am – The Gallery, from The Porta, shut until the parade clears into the High Street

- 10.15am to approximately 1.30pm – High Street closed

- 11.15am to approximately 1.30pm – Forehill closed.

For more on the road closures across the county’s various events, go to bit.ly/468Xg8p.