Cheltenham's Remembrance Day service 2026

Cheltenham will reflect, respect and remember all those people who gave their lives for our freedom

11am on Sunday 8 November - Cheltenham’s remembrance service and parade to honour the sacrifice of our armed services and civilians in war
11am on Wednesday 11 November - pause to remember, two minute silence and short service
From the dedication at midday on Thursday 29 October, the Field of Remembrance will be in place until Friday 13 November in the Long Gardens adjacent to the war memorial for small crosses to be laid in memory of loved ones

On Armistice Day (Wednesday 11 November) the council is supporting The Royal British Legion (RBL) by encouraging businesses, shops, offices and individuals to pause to remember at 11am.

On Sunday 8 November, the war memorial in Cheltenham’s Long Gardens on the Promenade will once again be the centrepiece for the town’s service of remembrance and civic parade. The service will begin at 10.50am and a lone trumpeter will play ‘The Last Post’ before two minutes of silence at 11am, honoured by Cheltenham’s Mayor, Councillor Martin Horwood.

After the Reveille, the service continues with prayers, hymns and the national anthem, played by Cheltenham Silver Band supported by the Cheltenham Choral Society.

The mayor will lay the first wreath at the war memorial followed by other civic dignitaries, including borough and county councillors, and representatives from local organisations. After the wreaths have been laid, there will be a parade and march past that the civic party will watch from the dais in front of the Municipal Offices. Councillor Horwood invites any ex-service personnel who would like to take part in the parade and march past to form up at 10.35am in front of the shops and bus stops on the Promenade.

The Cheltenham branch of the Royal British Legion, Veterans, Cheltenham Royal Naval Association; Royal Observer Corps; 501 Squadron RAuxAF (RAF Brize Norton), ARRC and Joint Services Signals Unit will all be taking part in the service. Also attending and parading will be detachments from the navy, army, and RAF cadets, St John Ambulance cadets, patrols from local scouts, cubs, girl guides and brownies.

Wing Commander Roy Roberts, outgoing chair of RBL Cheltenham, said “It has been an honour and a privilege to help lead the annual commemorations for the past 10 years, and I now hand over to the next generation through my successor, army veteran Patrick Hards.”

Patrick Hards, chair of the RBL Cheltenham branch, added: “The Cheltenham branch of the RBL is in its 106th year and as the World Wars are fading from living memory, it has never been more important to continue to remember the sacrifices that subsequent generations of His Majesty’s Armed Forces and civilians have made in the service of our nation and our allies. It is an honour to be part of Cheltenham’s Acts of Remembrance, where we can, together, once more commemorate such sacrifices and keep in our hearts those amongst us who defend us daily. Lest We Forget.”

Councillor Martin Horwood, Mayor of Cheltenham, said: "Remembrance Sunday gives us the chance to come together and reflect on the sacrifices made by so many service personnel and their families. It is an opportunity to remember those who lost their lives, honour those who served, and show our gratitude for the commitment and dedication of our armed forces and all those who put themselves in harm's way, past and present. I encourage everyone who can to join us at the war memorial on the Promenade to pay their respects and mark this day of remembrance."

The event will be live streamed on the Cheltenham Borough Council YouTube channel.

Members of the press who wish to attend the service are asked to let the communications team know in advance.

For press enquiries contact: communications, telephone 01242 264231 or email: [email protected].

For event enquiries contact: Jennie Ingram, personal assistant to the mayor, telephone 01242 264108, email [email protected].

Cheltenham's Remembrance Day service 2026

Cheltenham will reflect, respect and remember all those people who gave their lives for our freedom

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