CHANGES have been made in Bromsgrove ahead of tomorrow’s annual Remembrance Sunday parade.
The events are expected to be even more poignant this year as they will also mark the centenary of the end of the First World War.
The Standard reported last November about complaints which had been lodged over an unsightly tree which blocked the town’s Odd Fellows memorial on the High Street which pays tribute to those who lost their lives in The Great War.
Many people said they were unable to see the stone tribute and voiced their frustration afterwards.
And they said they felt for this year’s Armistice Day, which will mark exactly 100 years Armistice Day, the Odd Fellows Memorial needed to be clearly on view.
Worcestershire County Council have taken action and removed the tree which has been replanted at the town’s cemetery.
Another criticism by residents who turned out for last year’s Bromsgrove parade said they had struggled to hear the service because of traffic noise on the main Birmingham Road close to the memorial.
Tomorrow the roads around the memorial will be closed which hopefully should rectify that situation and enable everyone to hear the service clearly.
Here is a reminder of the Remembrance services and parades taking place across Bromsgrove District:
BROMSGROVE
6am – The day will begin with the Battle of O’er played on bagpipes on Bromsgrove High Street.
10.20am – Those wishing to take part in the Remembrance Parade should muster outside Argos on Bromsgrove High Street.
10.30am – The parade will move off and journey to the war monument on Crown Close, giving an ‘eyes left’ at the Odd Fellows Memorial on the High Street.
10.55am – The service will start at the monument. If the weather is bad the service will be held in St John’s Church.
11am – A two-minute silence will be held, followed by the laying of wreaths.
11.30am – A second short service will take place at the two memorials inside St John’s Church.
6.30pm – There will be a gathering at St John’s Church for reflection and music from the church choir.
7pm – The Last Post will be played and a Beacon will be lit outside St John’s Church before the bells ring out.
7.45pm – The Battle of the Somme film will be screened at Bromsgrove School’s Routh Hall. The event will feature live music performed by Bromsgrove School and the Orchestra of St John.
8pm – ‘Battle’s Over’, a Commemorative Community Concert, takes place at Artrix.
ASTON FIELDS
10am – Laying of the wreaths and prayers at the village’s War Memorial.
10.30am – A Remembrance Service will take place at St Godwalds Church.
CATSHILL
10am – Short service at Catshill Working Men’s Club, Meadow Road, followed by a parade to the village’s war memorial.
10.45am – A service at Catshill Memorial where the names on the memorial will be read out, followed by a two-minute silence at 11am and the laying of wreaths.
There will be coffee and tea in the social club afterwards.
RUBERY
10.25am – Remembrance Service at the Rubery Memorial Club (formerly the Royal British Legion Club).
11am – Two-minute silence, followed by wreath-laying.
There will then be a parade down to St Chad’s Church.
