News
November 8th 2018
Remembrance Events in the East Midlands
Nottinghamshire Army Cadet Force on parade at Victoria Embankment last year
Remembrance Sunday is a tradition that has been taking place every year since the Armistice and in this centenary year it is more important than ever.
Remembrance parades, beacon lighting ceremonies and church services are just some of the many events that Cadets and Reservists throughout the East Midlands will be supporting as they have since the very first Remembrance Sunday.
1919 was the first year a service was held at the Cenotaph in London and at churches throughout the country. In 1921 artificial poppies started to be sold in order to provide jobs for ex-serviceman and the profits from sales of the poppies went back to service leavers in need.
Throughout the 1920’s local war memorials would be erected and these would become the new focus for local remembrance events, this is still the case today.
In Nottingham on Sunday evening there will be a beacon lighting event in front of the 1920’s memorial on Victoria Embankment. Most villages, towns and cities will use their local war memorial as a focal point for the Armistice commemorations.
Leicester will host a huge remembrance parade followed by a short service of commemoration in Victoria Park. Whilst in Derby the Cathedral will host a short service of remembrance before forming a parade \and marching to the market square where there will be civic service of remembrance and the laying of wreaths by local dignitaries and Armed Forces.
Cadets in Boston on Remembrance Sunday last year
However, remembrance commemorations are not limited to major cities with almost every town and village in between also paying their respects, often in unique and unusual ways.
On Saturday 10th Quorn in Leicestershire is hosting a replica World War One field hospital in order to honour the many nurses who gave their time to support troops on the frontlines, then on the 11th it is holding another event that looks at the contribution made by the railways. At this event there will be talks and stands but there will also be a World War One tank and trains from the era.
Belper in Derbyshire is hosting a concert of remembrance on the 10th where the Derwent Brass Band will be performing and all money raised will go to the Poppy Appeal.
Boston in Lincolnshire has commissioned a new war memorial and that will be officially unveiled to the public when there is a public parade and service on Sunday. There is also a refurbished war memorial being unveiled in Lenton, Nottingham on Sunday afternoon.
How will you be commemorating the Armistice? Share your pictures with us on social media and check back Monday to see if your story was featured.
