The Remembrance Sunday service at the War Memorial in Witney is to be made a little shorter, at the request of the Witney branch of The Royal British Legion.
A major change to the service is that there will be no parade this year. Instead, groups and organisations that wish to, can meet in their own groups and make their own way to the memorial following after the service, rather than as an official procession.
The wreath laying element of the ceremony has also been scaled back with just eleven wreaths being laid as part of the service. Previously up to 40+ wreaths have been laid which takes a considerable amount of time. This year members of the public that wish to lay wreaths and poppy tributes of their own following the service, will not have to wait so long to do so.
The changes were made out of respect for the ageing veterans who took part in the parade, and to limit the amount of standing time for them, and some of the very young that traditionally attend to pay their respects.
These are the only changes, The roads will be closed as usual to allow people to gather safely to take part in the service.
The Town Band and Witney clergy will attend the memorial to provide the music, readings and prayers for the service, which will include the readings by the RBL and the Two Minutes silence as always. The full Church Service of Remembrance will take place in St Mary’s church afterwards as in previous years.
A fully downloadable copy of the War Memorial service sheet is available on the Remembrance Day Page of the Town Council’s website. Some paper copies will also be available on the day but in keeping with the Town Council’s commitment to reducing its use of paper, there will be fewer this year and people are encouraged to access it on a mobile device where possible.
