BRIDPORT paid a touching tribute to the fallen as crowds turned out for the ‘moving’ annual Remembrance Sunday parade and Armistice Day.

Hundreds of thousands of people congregated across the country to pay their own respects on both days to all those who gave their lives for their countries.

Local people gathered on Remembrance Sunday to remember those who have died in conflicts with the Wessex Military Band leading the procession along East Street and down South South to the war memorial.

A traditional church service took place at St Mary’s Church, before the parade returned to Bucky Doo Square.

Mayor of Bridport, Cllr Sandra Brown, described the ceremony as ‘very moving’.
She said: “I think it is really important that we remember what sacrifice people made and that this still means so much to people.

“It was all a very moving thing to be part of. 

“We had so many people on the parade this time and so many young people which was really nice to see, and very important.

“I had to inspect them all and I was very impressed with everyone.”

Cllr Brown said it was ‘a privilege’ to lead the town in paying respect to those who have died.

“The parade and the church service were so lovely,” added Cllr Brown.

“It was such a privilege to see the town pay its respects and there was a really big turnout this year, which was nice to see.”

Bridport Town Council had made arrangements for this year’s Remembrance parade, or behalf of the Royal British Legion, in association with parade commander Brigadier John Dean.

Road closures were put in place until 1pm.

Cllr Brown paid tribute to the organisers.

She said: “There is a lot of pressure on the organisers to get these events right.

“Everyone did a fantastic job and the whole town can be proud. 

“Everyone pulled together and paid their own private respects to those who have given their lives for us.”

A service was also held at St Martin’s Church in Shipton Gorge to honour those who have died.

The Reverend Canon Stephen Batty dedicated a memorial pealboard commemorating a full peal rung to mark the centenary of the death on May 2, 1915 of Private Will Sanders of the Dorsetshire Regiment at Hill 60, near Ypres.

Canon Batty also re-dedicated the church’s war memorial triptych.

After the service, members of the congregation planted poppy crosses at the Commonwealth War Grave of Private John William Gale of the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry who died in the First World War.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News:

Lyme Regis pays tribute to war heroes

CROWDS turned out in Lyme Regis on Sunday to support this year’s Remembrance parade.

The procession was led by the Lyme Regis branch of the Royal British Legion, with Mayor Owen Lovell joining the parade at the Guildhall.

The parade set off from the Langmoor Gardens entrance and marched down Broad Street towards St Michael’s Church.

Former serving soldier Kevin Taylor marshalled the parade, while Woodroffe School cadets and Uplyme scouts joined the RNLI, emergency services and Rotarians to take part in the event.

Reverend Jane Skinner led the Remembrance service, before the parade disbanded after the Lyme Regis Town Band performed the national anthem.

Children from Marshwood Primary School were among those who laid
wreaths at the village's Remembrance Sunday ceremony.

Led by Luke Owen, the head of Marshwood Church of England Primary
Academy, teachers, parents and pupils were among those who gathered at
the war memorial in the centre of the village on Sunday.

The ceremony was organised by Ron Chiverton, president of the
Birdsmoorgate branch of the Royal British Legion. He read out the names
of the 12 men from the area who were killed during the two World Wars.

All but one of those lost their lives during the First World War.

After the last post was played and the two minutes silence had been
observed, wreaths were also laid by Matthew Bowditch, chairman of the
Upper Marshwood Vale Parish Council, and representatives of the Royal British
Legion and Marshwood Church.

The Reverend Stephen Skinner, the Golden Cap team rector who had earlier
conducted a special service for Remembrance Sunday at Marshwood Church, led the prayers.