THERE was an impressive turn-out for Remembrance Sunday in Droitwich Spa as several hundred people converged on Victoria Square to commemorate the fallen.
The day began at Cover Croft car park where people of all ages gathered, preparing to take part in the parade.
As well as members of the Droitwich Royal British Legion, the Salvation Army Band and civic dignatries, there was a notable number of young people who relished their roles in such an important occasion.
Among the groups taking part were the Boys Brigade, Girls Association, the Sixth Droitwich Brownies, the Third Droitwich Scouts and St John’s Fun and Friends.
They were led from the car park to Victoria Square at 10.10am by members of the Droitwich Troup of the Hereford and Worcester Army Cadet Force.
There, there was a moving service in the square and a perfectly marked two minute silence, punctuated by The Last Post, Exhortation and Reveille, played by bugler Lee Fisher.
It was a very profound day for those who attended and from aged six to 96 there were several generations of people present to poignantly remember those who lost their lives.
Droitwich Mayor, Coun Graham Beale, did the honour of laying the very first wreath on the memorial, followed by MP Nigel Huddleston and many others representing a variety of local people, charities, businesses and political parties.
As the brass band played on and the hymns were sang, it was an emotional day for all.
The parade then moved on to St Andrew’s where the church service took place.
Coun Beale said: “We were blessed that it didn’t rain. I was surprised to see how many people turned up – it was a great crowd.
“Everyone was very quiet during the silence and I appreciated the fact so many young people were there too.
“One of the most potent moments was the chimes of the clock when it struck 11.
“The service went very well and Nigel, the minister, was very approachable.
“It’s a shame we couldn’t do the march through the town centre because of traffic problems, but apart from that, it did go very well and it was good to see people made the effort to be there.”
Mr Huddleston said he found the service very moving.
“I was particularly impressed by the turnout in rather poor weather and found the wreath-laying part of the service very touching.
“The recent services have been particularly poignant during the centenary commemorations of the First World War.
“The large number of participants at the service in Droitwich and other services across Worcestershire shows that we shall never forget those who made sacrifices for our freedom.”
