Services to remember and honour the sacrifices of the armed forces will take place next month led by the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane Cllr Colin Phillimore.

A Remembrance Sunday service and parade will take place on Sunday 9 November, with a shorter service on Tuesday 11 November to mark Armistice Day. Both services will take place outside the Civic Offices in London Road, Basingstoke at 11am.

The parade, including veteran and serving personnel as well as civilian uniformed services, cadets, associations and schools will march from Market Place, through the Top of the Town before arriving at the War Memorial just before 11am. Following the arrival of the Mayor and other representatives, the Act of Remembrance will begin with The Last Post and Exhortation, followed by two minutes’ silence at 11am. There will also be a Chinook flypast by RAF Odiham. Residents should note that there is limited space at the War Memorial.

Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire Mrs Clare Scheckter will lay a wreath on behalf of HM Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire. The Mayor Cllr Colin Phillimore and the Leader of the Council Cllr Paul Harvey will also lay wreaths, with members of the public invited to lay their tributes after the service.

Following the Remembrance service, the Deputy Lieutenant and the Mayor 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. For the safety of the parade and attendees, a temporary road closure will be put in place outside the Civic Offices throughout the morning and the traffic will also be stopped in New Road at 11am for the two minutes’ silence.

On Armistice Day (Tuesday 11 November), Cllr Phillimore and Cllr Harvey will also lay a wreath at the War Memorial on behalf of the borough during a short service, which will include a two minutes’ silence and prayers.

People are welcome to place their own poppy crosses after the Remembrance service, beside the soldier silhouette outside the Goldings building, near the War Memorial.

The Mayor said: “On Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day, we will pause, as we do every year,  to honour the courage, sacrifice, and service of all those who have defended our freedoms.

“Their legacy is our unity, community spirit and pride and I am honoured to be leading the borough’s remembrance services as we stand together in solemn reflection and remembrance.”

For more information about remembrance events, visit https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/remembrance-sunday-service