Close to 1,000 people at Bromsgrove's most successful Remembrance Sunday ever - The Bromsgrove Standard

Close to 1,000 people at Bromsgrove's most successful Remembrance Sunday ever

Bromsgrove Editorial 8th Nov, 2015 Updated: 17th Oct, 2016   0

THE RAIN cleared in time for Bromsgrove to have its most successful Remembrance Sunday commemoration ever, with close to 1,000 people turning out for the parade and service.

It began near Argos where the parade mustered and proceeded along the High Street.

Those marching gave an ‘eyes left’ at the Odd Fellows Memorial, before turning left along Church Street and across the road to the town’s Portland stone war monument in Crown Close.

Among those on parade were representatives from the Bromsgrove Royal British Legion and Women’s Section, MP Sajid Javid, Bromsrove District Council chairman Caroline Spencer, district and county councillors, Bromsgrove Army Cadets and representatives from a number of organisations in the district, including West Mercia Police, the scouts, the Rotary Club, the Court Leet, the Freemasons, the Bromsgrove Lions, the Round Table and the town’s WIs.




Rev Ray Khan, the vicar of St John’s, gave his first ever Bromsgrove Remembrance Sunday service to the packed Crown Close audience.

After an initial address came the exhortation, read by Bromsgrove Royal British Legion president Fred Pearson and an impeccable two-minutes silence.


The Last Post, Exhortation and Reveille were played by bugler Archie Holder from Bromsgrove School.

The Kohima Epitaph followed, along with the laying of almost 30 wreaths.

Among the groups and organisations paying their respects were Bromsgrove Royal British Legion and women’s section, the armed forces, veterans, local councillors, scouts, West Mercia Police, Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, St John Ambulance, the Bromsgrove Lions, Rotary, the Round Table, The Bromsgrove Standard and others.

Bromsgrove Royal British Legion chairman Patrick Smith said:

“It was the biggest parade ever – I have never seen so many at the Bromsgrove Remembrance Sunday commemoration before.

“It just goes to show how much the people of Bromsgrove value their armed services.”

He also praised the Bromsgrove Army Cadets whose members, whilst collecting yesterday (Saturday) on the High Street, raised an unprecedented £1,198.02 for the Poppy Appeal.

Rev Ray Khan said: “I thought the fact that so many people from the town came together to remember those who gave their lives in service made the occasion so moving.”

He also said it was wonderful that some people had come forward to help the town’s Royal British Legion branch and secure its future.

But, he added, more people were needed and he urged anyone who could help to get in touch with the RBL.

Bromsgrove MP Sajid Javid said: “I thought it was a very moving service and it was nice to be able to have it outside by the monument.

“It’s lovely to see the whole community come together to remember those who sacrificed so much for our freedom today.

“It was also wonderful to see how many young people were there.”

And Coun Caroline Spencer, the chairman of Bromsgrove District Council, said: “The service went extremely well.

“It was good that it was by the monument as it meant more residents could come along and join in with the commemorations.

“You could tell that by the fact it was very well-attended and it was tremendous to see so many young people’s groups taking part in the proceedings.”

Following the service at the monument, there was a short wreath-laying at St John’s Church at the memorials to the First World War and the Boer War.

And those gathered were invited to refreshments at Millfields Social Club

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