BASINGSTOKE will fall silent next month as ceremonies will be held to honour the service and sacrifice of the armed forces.

Led by the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane Cllr Paul Miller, an Armistice Day ceremony will take place on Friday, November 11, followed by a Remembrance Sunday service and parade on Sunday, November 13.

Both services will take place outside the Civic Offices in London Road at 11am.

A veteran of the RAF, Cllr Miller will lay a wreath at the War Memorial at the short Armistice Day service, which will include a two-minutes' silence and prayers.

Remembrance Sunday will begin with a parade from Market Place, through the top of the town to the War Memorial. Following the arrival of the mayor’s party and fellow dignitaries, the Act of Remembrance will begin with The Last Post and Exhortation, followed by two-minutes' silence at 11am.

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The wreaths will be laid by the mayor, Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire Tom Floyd DL and Lady Edwina Grosvenor, the High Sheriff of Hampshire.

The mayor said: “Leading the borough’s remembrance commemorations as mayor is a huge honour and privilege.

“As a veteran of the armed forces myself, the act of remembrance is especially important to me. It is an opportunity for us all to honour the memory of the armed service personnel who fought in both world wars, and in other conflicts throughout time.

“Their courage and sacrifice laid the foundations for the freedoms that we all enjoy today. We must always remember that.”

Following the service, the Deputy Lieutenant, mayor and High Sheriff will take the salute from the parade in London Street, which will continue to march through the top of the town back to Market Place, where the parade will be dismissed.

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People can place their own poppy crosses in remembrance of relatives and friends beside the soldier silhouette outside the Goldings building, near the War Memorial. Poppy crosses will be available on the day.

For the safety of the parade and attendees, a temporary road closure will be put in place outside the Civic Offices during the morning, and the traffic will also be stopped in New Road at 11am for the two-minutes’ silence.

If your organisation is interested in participating either in the parade or laying a wreath, email MayoralCoordinator@basingstoke.gov.uk.