Remembrance Day services around Leicestershire

In the year that we mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II we are highlighting Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day services and events around the region as we remember and commemorate those who gave their lives for our freedom.

Remembrance Sunday service

As always, Leicester’s Remembrance event will be held on the closest Sunday, 9 November, at the Victoria Park War Memorial. A parade, led by the Seaforth Highlanders Pipes and Drums, and made up of members of the Armed Forces, reservists, veterans and cadets, will step off from De Montfort Hall at around 10.40am to make its way to the Arch of Remembrance ready for the service at 10.55am.

The Bishop of Loughborough, The Rt Reverend Saju Muthulaly, will conduct the service with support from former BBC Radio Leicester presenter, Dave Andrews.  A bugler will sound the Last Post before the firing of salutes which marks the start and end the two minutes of silence.  A piper from the Seaforth Highlanders will play a lament before the service continues.

On 11 November at 11am, Leicester Market will observe its traditional two-minute silence, with shoppers and traders joining the Lord Mayor of Leicester, Cllr Teresa Aldred in Green Dragon Square.

Leicester City Remembrance Fixtures

Did you know that Leicester City Football Club were the first football team to have the poppy embroidered on their shirts? This year they are supporting the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal across two fixtures, both men and women.

The Men’s Remembrance fixture will take place on Tuesday 4 November against Middlesborough and the Women’s against Arsenal on Sunday 2 November. These will include a full stadium Tifo Display, the playing of the Last Post plus a two-minute silence, a Centre Circle Banner & Poppy Wreath laying, Half-Time Parade and Fan Zone activity. Serving personnel and veterans are encouraged to wear their medals too!

There will also be a Veterans’ Coffee Morning on Monday 3 November from 10.30am – 12.10pm, open to all current and former service personnel, plus a guest.

Leicester Cathedral Service of Remembrance

On Tuesday 11 November at 10.45am Leicester Cathedral will hold a special service to observe the two-minute silence on Armistice Day. This will include the playing of The Last Post and the bugle call of Reveille to end the silence, marking the sacrifices made by military personnel and others during war.

Leicester Tigers Remembrance Service and fixture

There are no matches due to the Autumn international break, but Leicester Tigers are making their military connections with a special event on Tuesday 11 November from 10am-2pm. Everyone is welcome to join the service led by the Reverend Canon Emma Davis of Leicester Cathedral at the Monument on the plaza outside the stadium from 10.30am until 11.15am.

The day will continue with the chance to take an Exclusive Stadium Tour, exploring areas not usually open to the public, curated with Armed Services connections in mind, a buffet lunch with the chance to connect with fellow veterans and a special Q&A Session hosted by Tigers Legend, Leon Lloyd, who now acts as a Non-Executive Director for Leicester Tigers. This will include special guest speakers and ex-players, Martin Whitcombe (RAF Veteran), and Rory Underwood MBE (RAF Veteran). Tickets are available here

A service to mark Armistice Day and to pay tribute to all those who lost their lives in conflict is being held at Leicestershire County Council’s HQ, County Hall, on Tuesday, 11 November.

The short service will take place at the Stand Easy memorial, beginning at 10.55am, and will incorporate the laying of wreaths and a two-minute silence at 11am.

Dignitaries taking part in the service include the Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire Mike Kapur OBE CStJ and Leicestershire County Council Chairman Councillor Paul Harrison.

They will be joined by representatives of the Royal British Legion, serving members of the armed forces and cadets, as well as pupils from the Hall Primary School in Glenfield. The service will be led by Dr Edward Bampton.

Remembrance Day service and parade on Sunday, 9 November in Coalville. The parade will depart Christ Church at 10:30am, proceeding along Hotel Street and High Street, and culminating in a service at the War Memorial in Memorial Square.  The service will include the traditional two minutes’ silence and a wreath-laying ceremony. During the two minutes’ silence, poppy petals will be released from the top of the Memorial Clock Tower in a poignant tribute to those who have served and continue to serve in the armed forces.

The home of the Victory Show, Cosby will see a very special event on Remembrance Sunday. In commemoration of the 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day, around 100,000 poppies will be dropped from a Dakota DC-3 across Victory Park, Cosby. There will also be a Spitfire and Hurricane fly past. Sunday 9 November at 12pm. Aircraft subject to weather and serviceability.

Hinckley Remembrance Service. The parade will begin at 10:15am, followed by a service that will take place at Hinckley War Memorial, Argents Mead, starting at 11am.

A Remembrance Sunday service will take place on Sunday, 9 November at the Carillon Tower War Memorial in Queen’s Park, Loughborough. This year’s Remembrance Sunday Parade will start from the Market Place at 10.20am and make its way through the town centre and to the Carillon, where the service will start at 10.50am. The gates to Queen’s Park from New Street will be closed to the public at 10.30am to allow the parade and wreath layers to make their way through the park.

Armistice Day will be commemorated on Tuesday, 11 November, with a service led by the Revd Emily Sharman starting at 10.50am, held at the Carillon Tower in Queen’s Park, Loughborough.

Wigston Parade and Service

The Wigston parade, organised by Oadby & Wigston Borough Council starts at 10.30am on Sunday 9 November. The parade will travel from Elizabeth Court, opposite Peace Memorial Park, down Long Street to All Saints’ Church. There will be a Remembrance Service inside All Saints’ Church. The parade will then return to Elizabeth Court, via Long Street.

Oadby Parade and Service

The Oadby Remembrance Parade, organised by the Oadby Royal British Legion, will take place at 2pm on Sunday 9 November. The parade will travel from Sandhurst Street car park and along The Parade until it reaches St Peter’s Church, where a service will take place.

South Wigston Service and Act of Remembrance

On Sunday 9 November a Remembrance Service will be held at St Thomas the Apostle Church in South Wigston from 9.45am with the Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial on Blaby Road at 10.55am.

Road closures will be in place around all the Remembrance Sunday events. Motorists should plan their journeys.

Remembrance Day Service: Tuesday 11 November

Remembrance Day will be marked with a service, starting at 10.50am in the Peace Memorial Park, Wigston. Everyone is welcome to attend. The service is organised by Oadby & Wigston Borough Council.