SUNDAY could hardly have failed to be a day of high emotion with the crowds lining the streets of Bridport, Beaminster and Lyme Regis for a very special Remembrance Day marking the centenary of the start of World War I.
There was a profound sense of pride, gratitude, humility and sadness as bands marched, old soldiers took the salute and prayers were said for the fallen.
See all the pictures in our Remembrance Day photo gallery.
This year the Wessex Military Band led the parade to St Mary’s in Bridport, played in church and led the procession back up to Bucky Doo Square where the Mayor Cllr Maggie Ray took the salute.
She addressed the crowds, saying: “August saw a solemn commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the Great War with a parade and service.
“And today we again pay tribute to those who gave their lives in two world wars, as well as those who have since fought in defence of our country.
“As town mayor I would like to thank everyone who has helped make today’s ceremony such a moving and respectful occasion. I am gratified and humbled at the tremendous support we receive from our town organisations and townspeople. This is what truly makes ‘Bridport at its Best’.”
Cllr Maggie Ray also thanked Cyril Whitlock for his 25 years of service as a macebearer.
The Allington hill, Cooper’s Wood and Field Community group paid their own tribute to the 153 local men who lost their lives in WW1 by putting up a huge poppy in Cooper’s Field and 153 individually named hand made wooden crosses.
The Royal Naval Air Station band from Yeovilton leads the parade in Beaminster. Picture by Rob Quincey
FOR the first time ever representatives from both town schools in Beaminster were represented at the Remembrance Day parade.
There was no parade last year but the town more than made up for it this year, with the procession being led by the Royal Naval air Station band from Yeovilton and supported by an excellent turnout.
All the town’s organisations, from the WI, scouts, brownies and fire service, to the police and town council came to pay their respects to the fallen and lay wreaths in their memory.
Royal British Legion member Tony Greenham said there had been an excellent turn out and it was wonderful to see both St Mary’s Primary School and Beaminster School represented for the first time, as was the WI.
He said: “Getting the younger generation involved is a step in the door, it was really wonderful.”
The service in St Mary’s was taken by the Rev David Baldwin.
LYME Regis Mayor Sally Holman said the town had put on a tremendous tribute for this year’s Remembrance Day parade.
She said: “There was a tremendous tribute in Lyme with a huge turnout.”
A single drummer led the Royal British Legion parade and the civic party then joined the procession to St Michael’s where the Rev Jane Skinner led the service, with the Rev Keith Vivian with Chris Woodman from the Baptist Church.
Cllr Holman added: “It was a very moving occasion. They are always moving but more so this year. I think it had a really big impact on people this year.
“It is very fitting that it should.
“The British Legion with its chairman David Manners really did a splendid job and the town was very proud.
“So many people joined in and there were so many people watching.
“All the services, the cadets, they were wonderful, all the lifeboat guys and we had some people from the majorettes, which was lovely.
“It is nice to get the young people involved.
“When I went round to thank the cadets, you just look at these young people and it is so moving that that dedication is there already in our young people when we hear so much the opposite.”
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