Published on 6th November 2023

Remembrance Sunday 2021 - crowds and parade at the war memorial on Cheltenham Promenade, large trees displaying autumn colours

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

  • 11am on Saturday 11 November – pause to remember, two minute silence and short service
  • 11am on Sunday 12 November - Cheltenham’s remembrance service and parade to honour the sacrifice of our armed services in war

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

On Sunday 12 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, Cllr Matt Babbage.

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. Cllr Babbage invites any ex-service personnel who would like to take part in the parade 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), 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’s Ambulance cadets, patrols from local scouts, cubs, girl guides and brownies; as well as mounted police.

Wing Commander Roy Roberts, chair of the Cheltenham branch of the Royal British Legion, said: “As custodians of Remembrance, the local Royal British Legion branch is honoured once again to join with the mayor and the town's citizens and voluntary organisations, as we have done for over 100 years, to reflect on the sacrifices of those who have gone before us and to think of those who are keeping us safe in today's challenging times.

“I never cease to be amazed at the turn outs on Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday by young and old; it’s clearly still important to very many, both nationally and locally."

Cllr Matt Babbage, Cheltenham’s mayor, added: ““It is a privilege to lead the town in remembrance of all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the course of defending the freedoms we enjoy, and in recognition of the dedication and commitment of all service personnel, past and present, who have served our country.  I would invite any members of the public who may like to mark this act of remembrance to join the service at the Cheltenham war memorial on the Promenade on Remembrance Sunday.”

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

Download the order of service for the Remembrance Sunday service.

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].

Photo opportunity: Sunday 12 November - the mayor will lead the civic party from the Municipal Offices steps at approximately 10.50am.

Notes:

The service on Saturday 11 November will be led by Chaplain - Reverend Steve Ward, Army Chaplains Department and the service on Sunday 12 November will be led by Reverend Richard Coombs.