Remembrance Sunday Service and Parade

Reading Minster of St Mary the Virgin hosts the town's main Remembrance Sunday service on Sunday 8 November, with the morning's proceedings running from the service through to the two-minute silence. It's a morning that takes you across the town centre, starting inside the Minster and ending at the Forbury Gardens War Memorial.

The service begins at 9.25am, and from there it's a march through Reading town centre, led by The Waterloo Band and Bugles of the 7 Rifles, who'll be heading towards Forbury Gardens. Along the way, there are readings from Mr Graham Barker, Vice Lord Lieutenant of The Royal County of Berkshire, the Mayor of Reading Cllr Paul Gittings, and the Bishop of Reading Rt Revd Mary Gregory. Once the parade reaches Forbury Gardens, the Ukrainian choir Kryla (КРИЛА) will perform.

The whole morning builds towards the two-minute silence at 11am, which marks the anniversary of the Armistice. The two ceremonies—the service and the parade—frame the town coming together to pay respect to those who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend the country. Mayor Cllr Paul Gittings called on residents to join him, saying we must never forget the sacrifices of those who have served and still serve, while Councillor Liz Terry, Leader of Reading Borough Council, described the events as an important time of reflection to pay tribute to the bravery, selflessness and courage of personnel, both past and present. The public are invited to attend both ceremonies.

If you can't make it on Sunday, there's a second chance to mark the day: on Armistice Day, Wednesday 11 November, the Mayor leads another two-minute silence at the Forbury Gardens War Memorial from 11am. Between the service at 9.25am, the parade from around 10.25am, and the silence at 11am, there's plenty of room to join in however you can.