The Lord Mayor of Chester is inviting local residents to attend the city’s Act of Remembrance on Sunday 11th November.
The service starts at 6am, accompanying the national tribute to commemorate ‘Battle’s Over’.
A lone piper will play the tune ‘Battle’s O’er’ from the Garden of Remembrance at Chester Cathedral.
The event is set to provide a fitting tribute to those who died or were wounded during the First World War as well as those who remained at home to support the war efforts.
The Dean of Chester will read out a special affirmation followed by prayers.
Such a tribute has never been undertaken in the city previously – local dignitaries will be present to observe the Act of Remembrance.
Members of the public, ex-servicemen and local organisations are invited to observe the tribute too, and are encouraged to be a Chester Cathedral gardens for 5.45am.
Also taking place is the traditional service, which starts at 10am and commemorates the centenary of the Armistice.
The service will enable the city of Chester to say ‘thank you’ to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, and to those who returned home to help shape the world we live in today.
The Lord Lieutenant, David Briggs; the chairman of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cllr Bob Rudd; the Lord Mayor of Chester, Cllr Alex Black and Dean of Chester, the Very Rev Dr Tim Stratford will collectively lead this year’s Remembrance service.
The Lord Mayor of Chester, Cllr Alex Black, said: “The men and women who gave their lives in the Great War will remain our forever heroes, their bravery and suffering must never be forgotten.
“It is an honour to be able to collectively lead this year’s Remembrance service.
“We want the City of Chester to come together and have the opportunity to be involved in marking this important anniversary.
“I would encourage everyone who is able to, to come and join in in the services which are taking place on Sunday 11th November 2018.”
The traditional service will be complemented by the ringing of muffled bells, which will also take place across the country, aiming to replicate the spontaneous outpouring of relief of 1918.
Present at Chester Cathedral will also be representatives from other local organisations: Army, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, Merchant Navy and ex-members of the armed forces.
The Service of Remembrance is followed by the Act of Remembrance at 10.50am in the Garden of Remembrance, outside the cathedral. The service will be led by the Very Rev Dr Tim Stratford.
At approximately 11.20am, a parade will form up in St Werburgh’s Street, outside the cathedral, before it processes through the city centre streets.
The parade will conclude in Northgate Street, where a salute will be given to the VIPs outside the Town Hall.
Upon conclusion of the parade, there will be a 20-minute concert, led by Matt Baker and the Theatre in the Quarter Remembrance Chorus, at Town Hall Square.
The concert will include songs from the early 1900s and will commemorate the relief that was felt following the news of the Armistice. All are welcome to attend and participate.
The Very Rev Dr Tim Stratford said: “Our recent history demonstrates that there has not been a war to end all wars.
“We have so much to learn by remembering the suffering, brutality and awfulness of the Great War ensuring that those who died did not do so in vain.
“This year’s acts of remembrance, on the hundredth anniversary of the Armistice, are a poignant opportunity to remember in order to shape the future.”
Also – Chester Cathedral Choir and the Orchestra of St John’s will perform Faure’s Requiem in ‘A Concert of Remembrance’ on Saturday 10 November at 7.30pm at Chester Cathedral, to commemorate 100 years since the end of conflict in World War 1. (click here)
