Rugby gets ready to remember

Mayor Cllr Sally Bragg, and the civic party will walk from the rear of Lesley Souter House, in Whitehall Road, to the War Memorial gates in Hillmorton Road to take part in the parade and service.

Representatives from 20 contingents, including the 250 Gurkha Signal Squadron (30th Signal Regiment), Royal British Legion, ex-service organisations, Girls’ Brigade and Boys’ Brigade, will gather in Hillmorton Road, between Whitehall Rec and Temple Street, at 10.30am to be reviewed by the Mayor before marching on parade to the War Memorial gates.

Members of the public can attend the service and parade, which takes place from 10.50am to around 11.20am.

During the service a two minute silence will be held. Members of the public can also join the Mayor and representatives from the contingents in laying wreaths at the gates.

The Salvation Army Band will provide the music for the service, which will be followed by a march past of all those on parade.

The service will be led by the Reverend Imogen Nay, assisted by Father Tom Thomas. The exhortation will be given by Andrea Bridges JP, chairman of the Rugby No.1 branch of the Royal British Legion, while the response will be read by the Mayor’s Cadet, Cadet Flight Sgt Matyas Golarits, from the 29F (Rugby) Squadron of the Air Cadets.

The Kohima Epitaph will be given by Ordinary Cadet Charlie Evans, of Rugby and District Sea Cadets and Royal Marine Cadets.

For the duration of the service and parade, traffic diversions will be in operation. Hillmorton Road - from Temple Street to Moultrie Road - and Whitehall Road will be closed to traffic from approximately 9am to 12 noon.

Traffic for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Centre will be directed to Bruce Williams Way via Moultrie Road and/or Hillmorton Road. Leisure centre traffic will be halted during the two minute silence.

On Armistice Day, Friday, November 11, Rugby Borough Council supports the Royal British Legion in the tradition of a two minute silence at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in memory of those who gave their lives for their country.

Maroons will be fired at Whitehall Recreation Ground, in Hillmorton Road, to mark the beginning and end of the silence - 11am and 11.02am.

The Mayor of Rugby will attend and representatives from the local branches of the Royal British Legion, other ex-services organisations and contingents who participated in the remembrance service have been invited.

Members of the public can also attend.