The Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane will lead the borough’s annual services to remember and honour the service and sacrifices of the armed forces next month

A Remembrance Sunday service and parade will take place on Sunday 10 November, with a shorter service on Monday 11 November to mark Armistice Day. Both services will take place outside the Civic Offices in London Road, Basingstoke at 11am.

The Remembrance Sunday event will begin with a parade from Market Place, through the Top of the Town to the War Memorial. Following the arrival of the Mayor’s party and fellow dignitaries, the Act of Remembrance will begin with The Last Post and Exhortation, followed by two minutes’ silence at 11am. There will also be a Chinook flypast by RAF Odiham. Residents should note that there is limited space at the War Memorial.

On behalf of HM Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire Lady Louisa Portal MBE DL, the Mayor Cllr Dan Putty and the Leader of the Council Cllr Paul Harvey will lead the wreath-laying. Members of the public are invited to lay their wreaths after the service.

Following the Remembrance service, the Deputy Lieutenant and the Mayor will take the salute from the parade in London Street, which will continue to march through the Top of the Town back to Market Place. For the safety of the parade and attendees, a temporary road closure will be put in place outside the Civic Offices during the morning and the traffic will also be stopped in New Road at 11am for the two minutes’ silence.

Cllr Putty will also lay a wreath at the War Memorial on behalf of the borough on the following day – Monday 11 November - at the short Armistice Day service, which will include a two minutes’ silence and prayers.

People are welcome to place their own poppy crosses after the Remembrance service, beside the soldier silhouette outside the Goldings building, near the War Memorial.

The Mayor said: “Leading the borough’s remembrance events is a huge honour and the Mayoress and I feel privileged to publicly represent the communities across our borough as we mark the huge sacrifices that our armed forces have made throughout history.

“In the year that we have celebrated D-Day 80, events like this are a precious opportunity to remember, celebrate and reflect on the brave actions of our veterans as well as showing our respect to the serving personnel, reserves and cadets."

For more information about remembrance events, visit https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/remembrance-sunday-service