DETAILS have been confirmed for this year’s Remembrance Day parades and services in Staple Hill and Mangotsfield.
The annual events to honour those who gave their lives in conflict will take place on Sunday November 10.
This year the main Staple Hill event is being coordinated by Staple Hill & Mangotsfield Parish Council, which has taken on the organisation and funding of the event for the first time.
Previously crowdfunding appeals had to be set up to meet the cost of setting up the event, including the sound system for the service in Page Park.
The parish council, which was set up last year, has worked with the Royal British Legion, Salvation Army and other key figures to make the arrangements.
The parade will form up on Page Road from 10am and veterans, military personnel, uniformed organisations and dignitaries will join members of the community in a march from 10.20am along the High Street and Broad Street to Page Park.
The parade will be led by the Staple Hill Salvation Army band, which will also accompany the hymns at the traditional Remembrance service around the park’s war memorial.
Anyone who wants to take part in the wreath-laying ceremony can pre-order a wreath online at www.staplehillandmangotsfield-pc.gov.uk or call council chairman Ian Campbell on 0795 010 4450.
After the service, the Page Community Association will open its doors to the public for refreshments.
Cllr Campbell said: “Remembrance Day is a time for us all to come together, to honour the courage and sacrifice of our service men and women.
“We invite everyone in the community to join us in paying their respects and commemorating those who have given their lives for our freedom.”
Afterwards there will be an act of remembrance at Mangotsfield war memorial in Alec Large park at 12.30pm.
The event is organised by the Mangotsfield Residents Association and includes a service led by MRA chair and community pastor Clive Heath, who will also lead an informal service at the Red Lion pub at 11am.
Wreaths for the service can also be ordered by calling 0795 010 4450.
Flagpole approved
A FLAGPOLE will be erected at Mangotsfield’s war memorial to enable the Union flag to fly at future Remembrance services.
Mangotsfield Residents Association applied to South Gloucestershire Council for permission to site the 5m (16ft) fibreglass pole at the memorial in July. The application was approved by council officers, using delegated powers, in September.
It will be installed 3.6m (about 12ft) from the Grade II-listed memorial by the council’s StreetCare team.
The flagpole will not be in place in time for this year’s Remembrance service but it is expected to be installed early next year, with the MRA having secured funding for the project.