THERE will be added poignancy to the commemorations taking place this Remembrance Sunday, November 11, as people gather in their thousands at services across the area to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.
In Farnham, where the first-ever two-minute silence was said to have taken place in 1916, the commemorations will begin today with children from local schools set to gather at 10.45am at the war memorial in Gostrey Meadow with representatives of the British Legion and the Princess of Wales’ Royal Regiment. A short remembrance service will include poems, readings, a two-minute silence and the laying of wreaths. Everyone is welcome.
On Sunday, Farnham’s official joint Remembrance Sunday parade will begin at 10.30am on Castle Street, reaching Gostrey Meadow for a short service at 10.45am.
At 11am, attendees will fall silent for two minutes before guests make their way to St Andrew’s Church for the remembrance service.
The event will be attended by the mayors of Farnham and Waverley, who will take part alongside representatives of the Armed Forces, local dignitaries, uniformed services and local Scout and Guide groups.
Temporary road closures will be in place from 10.15am-11.30am. Affected roads include Castle Street, The Borough, Union Road, South Street, Downing Street, Longbridge and Victoria Road.
After the Service of Remembrance at the Hale war memorial on November 11, there will be a celebration in Hale village hall, starting with bacon rolls and tea and coffee. There will be wartime songs and at 1pm professional singer Natasha will perform. Tickets are £5 and all proceeds will go to the British Legion Poppy Appeal.
In Badshot Lea, a service will be held at 10am at St George’s Church followed by the Act of Remembrance at the village war memorial at 10.45am.
A service will also take place at the Weybourne war memorial at the later time of 4pm on November 11.
Also on Sunday, the annual Rowledge Service of Remembrance will be held at 10am at St James’ Church, followed by the Act of Remembrance at the village war memorial at 11am.
In The Bourne, a Remembrance Service with Act of Remembrance will be held at the war memorial from 10am on November 11.
And in Elstead, a service will be held at St James’ Church at 10am after which there will be a brief Act of Remembrance at the war memorial in Thursley Road at 10.55am followed by refreshments at the Royal British Legion Barn.
In Churt, at 10am a service will be held at St John’s Church will be followed by a wreath laying ceremony at 11.15 am.
In Thursley, a Remembrance Service will take place at St Michael and All Angels Church from 10am followed by drinks and canapes at the Village Hall, where an exhibition by Thursley’s History Society will also be on display.