Remembrance Sunday: where are the ceremonies in Preston, Chorley and South Ribble?

Preston Town Council

Preston will come together to remember all those lost in conflict this weekend. On Sunday, 13 November, a parade will begin at 10.30am with the Mayor of Preston, Councillor Neil Darby, veterans, Armed Forces and others. They will walk from Earl Street, along Lancaster Road, right into Church Street then right onto Cheapside and to the Flag Market.

This year, senior cadets will be carrying redundant Standards - the old Queen's Lancashire Regiment Standards plus the old 55th Division Standard. In addition, a wreath will be laid to remember the truce that broke out in no man’s land between British and German troops in December 1914.

Colonel (Retd) David Waters, President of the Central Lancashire Armed Forces Veteran’s Association, said: “Earlier this year as a result of the partnership between the Sir Tom Finney Preston Soccer Centre, the Sir Tom Finney FC and the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), the Sir Tom Finney Peace Field was opened at the UCLan Sports Arena. The site is twinned with designated areas of play at the Flanders Peace Field in Mesen, Belgium. Sir Tom served in WW2 in the 9th Queens Royal Lancers as a young man. It is therefore very fitting that a wreath is laid to remember the truce.

“In addition to an event at Preston North End FC on the 12th and Remembrance Sunday, we are also attending the service at 11am on Friday 11 November (Armistice Day) at the Cenotaph and a further service at UCLan.” At the end of Sunday’s service, there will be an opportunity for the public to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph. As the Harris hoarding will reduce capacity for the public to stand on the Flag Market, a large screen placed under cover of the Fish Market Canopy (at the corner of Market Street and Earl Street) will show the event.

Chorley Town Council

Chorley will pay respect to our armed forces this week on Remembrance Sunday as the Council hosts a service of Remembrance in Astley Park. A parade will form at around 10:25am on St Thomas’s Road and set off to the Cenotaph in Astley Park via Market Street and Park Road. The service will then commence at the Cenotaph around 10:45am and will be followed by a two-minute silence and wreath laying to pay respect to all service men and women who have given their lives in service to our nation.

The parade will be led by Regimental groups, local service veterans and community groups, the Mayor of Chorley; Councillor Julia Berry, Deputy Chief Executive; Chris Sinnott and Members of the Council. Rector of Chorley Father Neil Kelley will be leading the service at the Cenotaph.

The Mayor of Chorley, Councillor Julia Berry said: “Residents and visitors are invited to join us for the Remembrance Sunday parade and service in Astley Park. The annual event is a respectful way for us to pay our respects to those who fought and lost their lives for our freedom and to show those who continue to serve how appreciated they are. I encourage the residents of Chorley to wear a poppy and join us for the procession and reflection on Remembrance Sunday”.

Following the parade and service, Chorley Pals, a local group honouring those from Chorley and district who served in the Chorley Pals Company during World War One will be holding wreath laying service at the Pals Memorial Statue in Union Street. The ceremony will begin at 12:30pm. If you wish to lay a wreath during the service at the Cenotaph, please contact Glyn Gaskell on 07495 020077.

South Ribble Council

Remembrance Sunday in South Ribble at the War Memorial, St Andrew’s Way 10:50am, followed by a church ceremony at St Andrew’s Church, Leyland, at 11.25am. All are welcome. 10:35am the Parade will leave the Civic Centre and proceed along Lancastergate, onto Tesco Car Park to the far end and turn towards the Leyland Cross. They will then exit onto Church Road and proceed towards the War Memorial for a short service. 11:25am attendees are welcomed to enter St Andrew’s Church for a service of Remembrance. 12:20pm The parade will return along the same route as above back to the Civic Centre.