Remembrance Sunday

Remembrance Sunday returns to Guildhall Square on Sunday 8 November, led by the Salisbury Branch of the Royal British Legion with support from Salisbury City Council and St Thomas's Church. It's the city's main day of remembrance, and it's a long one that stretches across the morning and into the early afternoon.

The parade leaves Avon Approach at about 10.30am, making its way through the city to gather at the War Memorial by 10.50am. At 11am, the two-minute silence falls, followed by the Act of Remembrance in Guildhall Square. Chris Child, president of the local branch, calls Remembrance Sunday the most important event in the Royal British Legion calendar, and he notes that the square now packs out for the Act of Remembrance, with huge crowds applauding the contingents of serving and retired service personnel marching down New Canal. The Mayor of Salisbury, Cllr Jenny Bolwell, takes the salute alongside the Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Hon Mrs Primrose Campbell. After that, the service continues at St Thomas's Church from about 11.40am.

The ceremonies honour military and civilian personnel who died during the two World Wars and subsequent conflicts. The Mayor says they give the community a chance to honour that courage and sacrifice and ensure their legacy lives on. It's a free event, and the whole thing is led by the Salisbury Branch of the Royal British Legion, so if you're looking for a way to mark the day, this is the main one in town.

Just a heads-up on the roads: Blue Boar Row, New Canal and other streets along the parade route close to traffic on the day, so you'll want to plan your route around them if you're driving in. To recap the timings: the parade leaves Avon Approach at about 10.30am, gathers at the War Memorial at 10.50am, the two-minute silence is at 11am, and the service at St Thomas's Church starts around 11.40am.