Remembrance Sunday Service and Parade in St Albans
Hundreds of people showed their respects to Britain’s war dead at a moving Remembrance Sunday Parade and Service in St Albans.
The Mayor of St Albans City and District, Councillor Anthony Rowlands, led the commemoration and was joined by leaders of the major faiths.
Representatives of air, sea and army cadets, the Guiding and Scout movements, the Police and other uniformed services were present.
There were also Royal British Legion members, Honorary Aldermen and Councillors from County, District, Town and Parish Councils.
A large number of residents also gathered around the City’s war memorial to pay their respects to the members of Britain’s armed forces who lost their lives in two World Wars and other conflicts.
Revd Mark Dearnley, Vicar of St Peter’s Church, conducted the service which included the Last Post and a two-minute silence.
Rabbi Adam Zagoria-Moffet, of St Albans Masorti Synagogue, read from the Hebrew Scriptures and Mr Akhtar Zaman, President of the St Albans Islamic Centre, read from the Holy Quran.
Rev Michael O’Boy, of St Alban and St Stephen Catholic Church, read from the Christian New Testament
During the service, there were prayers and the St Albans City Band provided the music for hymns.
Wreaths were by the Mayor as well as Lionel Wallace, Deputy Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Daisy Cooper, MP for St Albans, and representatives of the Fire and Rescue, Police and Ambulance Services and other groups.
After the National Anthem was sung, the Deputy Lieutenant, Mayor, Councillors and Aldermen returned in procession to a saluting stand to take the salute of the parade.
Mayor Rowlands said:
This was, of course, a very important occasion and I was impressed with the number of residents, young and old alike, who attended.
It was a striking example of all ages together, our community turning out in force to honour the many men and women who sacrificed their lives for their country.
I was particularly struck by how many young people there were, many of them representing the scouts, guides and cadets from all age groups.
It shows that we all recognise the tremendous debt we owe to the men and women who lost their lives defending our country. We must always remember them.
Picture: scenes from the Remembrance Sunday Service and Parade including the Mayor laying a wreath, top.
Contact for the media:
John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer: 01727-819533, john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.