Mayor to lead Taunton’s Remembrance events
02 November 2022 : Council news, Community
The Mayor of Taunton, Councillor Sue Lees, will lead a programme of events to mark this year’s annual observation of Remembrance.
Remembrance commemorations are observed annually to honour the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women involved in the two World Wars, and in later conflicts.
The events will begin with the Dedication of the Field of Remembrance on Thursday, 10 November. This short service will take place from 10.50am in Taunton Minster churchyard, St Mary Magdalene Church.
On Friday, 11 November, the Mayor will lead a two-minute silence in Taunton town centre from 10.55am for Armistice Day. The two-minute silent pause of remembrance is observed at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month to mark the end of the First World War.
On Remembrance Sunday, 13 November, a service led by Revd Tobie Osmond (Taunton Minster), Revd Simon D’Albertanson (40 Commando Padre) and the Rt Revd Dr Michael Beasley (Bishop of Bath and Wells) will be held at Taunton Minster from 9.30am, which will also be livestreamed via the Minster’s Facebook page.
Following the church service, a parade of veterans, scouts, guides and cadets will march through the town where a civic party will take the salute at 10.30am on the steps of the Old Municipal Buildings in Corporation Street.
The civic party will then process into Vivary Park where the Service of Remembrance and wreath placing ceremony will take place in front of the War Memorial at 11am. This short service will be livestreamed via Somerset West and Taunton Council’s Facebook page.
Temporary road closures will be in place throughout the commemorations.
Members of the public wishing to commemorate Remembrance are welcome to attend the events, as well as purchasing poppies from a temporary poppy shop at Unit 13, Fore Street, Taunton, TA1 1HX. Alternatively, poppies can be ordered online at poppyshop.org.uk.
Anyone displaying symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as COVID-19, a high temperature or is not feeling well enough to attend, is advised to stay at home and avoid contact with other people. Although non-compulsory, spectators may wish to consider face coverings where the events are well attended or take place in confined spaces.