Hundreds of people turned out for Melksham’s Remembrance parade on Sunday 12th November to join people across the country in honouring all those who have died and been wounded in past and current conflicts.
The annual parade began at King Street car park shortly after 2.30pm and marched through the town centre to St Michael and All Angels Church. A congregation of 365 people attended a service to remember those who have died and been injured in war, before wreaths of poppies were laid at the cenotaph in Canon Square by local groups and dignitaries.
Those participating in the parade included; The Royal British Legion, Royal Air Force Association, St John Ambulance, the Police Force, Wiltshire Fire, Melksham detachment of Wiltshire Army Cadet Force, the Air Training Corps, Melksham Scouts and Cubs and Melksham & District Girl Guides.
Mayor of Melksham, councillor Adrienne Westbrook said, “It’s fantastic that so many people can come together to mark such an occasion and it just shows the Melksham community off in an amazing light. Also, the volunteers that give so much of their time to make sure we can have this event are incredible.
“Melksham looked amazing over the Remembrance weekend with all the yarn-bombing around the town and the camo-net dressed with poppies behind the cenotaph. The town looked stunning.”
Branch president for Melksham’s Royal British Legion, Trevor Paterson, who served in the RAF for 28 years and organised this year’s Poppy Appeal for Melksham said, “The day went very well and there was a great turnout for the parade and the gathering in the Assembly Hall after the service. At the church service we counted 365 people in attendance and some people commented that they have never seen the church so full for this service.
“There were well over a 100 people, close to 150, who took part in the parade and I was very pleased to see a lot of ex-military personnel involved. I was also impressed by the behaviour of all the contingents, especially the youngsters in the parade.
“There was also a parade and service on the Saturday to mark the two minutes’ silence for Armistice Day, followed by tea and a buffet courtesy of Co-op Funeralcare, which we are very grateful for.
“We are now starting to collect and count all the donations that have been made to the Poppy Appeal. We won’t have the grand total until later in the year, but we are hoping to beat last year’s total of £22,831.
“I want to thank everyone in the community for their support and contributions to this year’s appeal.”
Other events across the weekend included a collection for the Poppy Appeal at Sainsbury’s on Armistice Day attended by the Military Vehicle Trust and volunteers dressed in World War 2 uniforms. The town hall was also lit up at night with a giant poppy emblazoned across it to mark the solemn occasion.
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