Aylsham prepares for Remembrance events

Aylsham town centre will come to a standstill on Remembrance Sunday, November 9, to honour the sacrifices of servicemen and women.

The Aylsham and District branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL) is organising its annual Remembrance Sunday parade through the town and members of the public are being encouraged to come out to show their support.

Veterans, army and police cadets, members of the scouts and guides, the fire service and civic leaders will be among those marching from the Drill Hall from 2pm on Remembrance Sunday.

At the head of the parade, carrying the standard, will be branch Chairman Gary Moore. The parade will make its way along Cawston Road, Penfold Street and the Market Place, finishing at Aylsham Parish Church for a Remembrance Service at 2.30pm, which is open to all.
Following the service, led by Rev Canon Julie Boyd, there will be a gathering at the war memorial in the churchyard where wreaths will be laid, the Exhortation read, the Last Post played and a two-minute silence held.
Those on parade will return to the Drill Hall – this year marching back through the Market Place from the churchyard.

On Armistice Day, Tuesday November 11, there will be a service at the war memorial next to Aylsham Parish Church. Those involved will gather at 10.45am ahead of an 11am service to mark the end of the First World War on November 11, 1918.
Meanwhile, local organisers of the Poppy Appeal are hoping to once again receive the great support Aylsham has become known for. Last year, more than £23,000 was raised in the Aylsham and district area and it is hoped the figure will be higher this year.

“I can’t praise the people of Aylsham for the amount of money they give each year,” said Derek Tomkinson, Poppy Appeal organiser for Aylsham and District. “It’s just phenomenal – I’m blown away every time.”

Poppy Appeal collection boxes are available in shops and businesses across the town and the RBL had a pop-up stall in the Market Place on November 1.

Norfolk RBL Chairman Paul ‘Smudge’ Smith, who is also a member of the Aylsham branch, said: “We had a really good year last year with the Poppy Appeal and it would be great if we could beat the total this year.”
Smudge said he was also delighted that Aylsham Town Council had agreed to sign the Armed Forces Covenant. “It’s formal recognition that shows Aylsham is committed to the veterans and their dependents,” said Smudge.
While Remembrance Sunday, Armistice Day and the Poppy Appeal shine a spotlight on the sacrifices made by the Armed Forces, Smudge stressed the RBL’s vital work took place throughout the year. “It’s about letting people know we exist for 52 weeks of the year and we need support 52 weeks of the year,” he said.
Smudge added it was also important to involve young people in the RBL’s work and volunteers regularly hold talks at local schools.
“It’s down to the younger people of today to carry on the work to look after those veterans who have worked so hard and given so much for their freedom.”

WE WILL REMEMBER: The parade taking place thorough Aylsham on Remembrance Sunday last year. Picture: IAN GRAVENELL