Mayor leads Remembrance Sunday Parade and Service in St Albans
Hundreds of people paid their respects to Britain’s war dead at a moving Remembrance Sunday Parade and Service in St Albans.
The Mayor of St Albans City and District, Councillor Jamie Day, led the commemoration and was joined by leaders of the major faiths.
Representatives of air, sea and army cadets, the Guiding and Scout movements, the Police and other uniformed services were present.
There were also Royal British Legion members, Honorary Aldermen and Councillors from County, District, Town and Parish Councils.
A large number of residents gathered at the City’s war memorial to pay their respects to the members of Britain’s armed forces who lost their lives in two World Wars and other conflicts.
Revd Mark Dearnley, Vicar of St Peter’s Church, conducted the service which included the Last Post and a two-minute silence.
Rabbi Daniel Sturgess, of St Albans United Synagogue, read from the Hebrew Scriptures and Mr Akhtar Zaman, President of the St Albans Islamic Centre, read from the Holy Quran.
Rev Michael O’Boy, of St Alban and St Stephen Catholic Church, read from the Christian New Testament.
During the service, there were prayers and the St Albans City Band provided the music for hymns.
Wreaths were laid by the Mayor as well as Robert Voss, Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Daisy Cooper, MP for St Albans, and representatives of the Armed Forces, Fire and Rescue, Police and Ambulance Services and other groups.
After the National Anthem was sung, the Mayor, the Lord Lieutenant, Councillors and Aldermen returned in procession to a saluting stand to take the salute of the parade.
The Mayor said:
This was a very moving service with the silence being impeccably observed as always.
I was impressed to see so many residents, young and old alike, in attendance, paying tribute to our war dead.
It was particularly heartening so see so many young people there, many of them representing the scouts, guides and cadets.
“It shows that all the generations recognise the tremendous debt we owe to the men and women who lost their lives defending our country. We must always remember them.
Pictures: Scenes from the Remembrance Sunday Service and Parade including the Mayor laying a wreath, top.
