Derby's Remembrance commemorations will return this November, bringing together residents and members of the Armed Forces community to pay their respects.
Taking place on Sunday 8 November, the annual Remembrance Sunday Service and Parade will see veterans, cadet groups and youth organisations march through the city centre onto the Market Place. Serving members of HMS Ambush, which has the Freedom of the City, will also be present. Royal Engineers 148 company will not be parading again this year.
Ahead of the parade, Derby-based South Asian arts organisation Surtal Arts will be performing a medley of patriotic songs on the Market Place at 10.15am. At 10.35am, students from the Royal School for the Deaf Derby will be leading a public participation session, teaching the audience how to say "We Will Remember Them" in British Sign Language (BSL). Following the wreath laying, pupils will perform the poem in BSL.
The Very Revd Dr Peter Robinson, Dean of Derby, will lead a short service at 10.55am, during which a two-minute silence will be observed at 11am. Following this, wreaths will be laid at the War Memorial.
Members of the public are encouraged to join the city in honouring the sacrifices of members of the armed forces and emergency services. Dedicated viewing areas will be available on the Market Place and the ceremony will be streamed onto a large screen.
A short service will also take place at the War Memorial at 11am on Armistice Day (Wednesday 11 November).
Ahead of this year's commemorations, the War Memorial has been carefully cleaned to ensure it is in good condition for those paying their respects. During this work, inspections found that the Grade-II listed monument, which is almost 100 years old, will require more significant restoration work in the not too distant future. Refurbishment proposals will be considered alongside plans to redevelop the Market Place, in consultation with local heritage organisations.
Councillor Jonathan Smale, Mayor of the City of Derby, said:
"Remembrance is an incredibly important event in the civic calendar, and I'm pleased we are once again working with local organisations to host commemorations in the city centre.
"These occasions are not only about those who served in the World Wars and subsequent conflicts, but also the sacrifices made by people from across the Commonwealth. I'd encourage residents to join us on the Market Place as we pay tribute and reflect on their service and sacrifice."
Following the conclusion of the parade and service, there will be a short pause while the security cordon around the War Memorial is lifted. Members of the public are then welcome to pay their personal respects and lay a wreath at the War Memorial.
Members of the public are also asked not to take photographs or video during the commemorations, as a safeguarding measure.
Any local groups or organisations who wish to lay a wreath at the War Memorial should contact the Council's Civic Services team as soon as possible via email at civic.support@derby.gov.uk.
More information about Derby's Remembrance commemorations can be found on the Council's website.