VETERANS, families, civic dignitaries and people from across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole turned out in their thousands to pay their respects on Remembrance Sunday.
All three towns marked the occasion with poignant ceremonies at their respective war memorials on Sunday, November 13.
Bugles were played, wreaths were laid, and silence was observed as residents reflected on those who have given their lives in the service of their country.
In Bournemouth, thousands of residents from all walks of life gathered at the Bournemouth War Memorial in Central Gardens.
The service had speeches from Reverend Dr Ian Terry and the Mayor of Bournemouth Cllr Bob Lawton and was attended by Bournemouth MPs Tobias Ellwood and Conor Burns, PCC David Sidwick, Bournemouth’s councillors and, of course, respected veterans.
Tobias Ellwood, MP for Bournemouth East, said: “The phenomenal public turn out at Bournemouth’s war memorial today is testament to the incredible bond our nation has with those who have served.
Bournemouth observing a two minute silence at 11am to remember and thank our servicemen and women. Can hear a pin drop. #RemembranceSunday @Bournemouthecho pic.twitter.com/inGlY1RicB
— Matt Simpson (@MattSimpsonEcho) November 13, 2022
“The war Ukraine reminds us that democracy requires defending and that it’s our valiant armed forces who we turn to when our way of life is threatened.
“This is why we give thanks to those who stepped forward in the past who gave their today and we say those words’ we will remember them.”
Families also gathered in Christchurch on Remembrance Sunday as the town's traditional parade took place.
Young and old lined the High Street as the procession travelled through the town centre from the Royal British Legion in Bargates to Christchurch Priory for the Service of Remembrance.
Led by the Christchurch Royal British Legion Band, the parade included members of Christchurch Town Council, BCP Council chief executive Graham Farrant, Christchurch MP Sir Christopher Chope, honorary freeman of the Borough, local cadet groups and most importantly, servicemen and women from the armed forces.
A wreath laying ceremony took place at the Garden of Remembrance at the Priory Church, ahead of the main remembrance service at 10.50am.
The procession returned along the High Street, past the old town hall, where the High Sheriff of Dorset and Mayor of Christchurch received the salute.
In Poole, the ceremony took place as usual at the War Memorial in Poole Park.
The Poole Sea Cadets Marching Band lead the annual parade and played the bugle to mark the start and end of the two-minute silence.
More than a thousand people lined the streets as the parade made its way from the Cricket Pavilion to Poole Park, where veterans gathered with members of the public for the ceremony – returning for the second time since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Leading the service was Reverend Reg Baldock, with further music provided by the Poole Borough Band.
Mayor of Poole, Cllr Tony Trent, previously observed a two-minute silence with a short service of remembrance in the Dolphin Shopping Centre on November 11.
Picture credits:
- Bournemouth: Matt Simpson
- Christchurch: Corin Messer
- Poole: Richard Crease
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