Reading Remembers
- Two minute silences will take place on both Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday in Reading
- Public are invited to attend, but both events will be live streamed on the Council's Facebook page for those who are unable to
READING comes together to pay tribute to the men and women who sacrificed their lives defending this country, in two separate Remembrance ceremonies this year.
Armistice Day – November 11
Thursday November 11 is Armistice Day this year and Reading Mayor, Councillor David Stevens, will lead a two minute silence at Forbury Gardens War Memorial at 11am. Members of the public are invited to attend.
Remembrance Sunday – November 14
Remembrance Sunday marks the town’s main service and parade, which takes place in Reading town centre on Sunday November 14.
Members of the public are invited to attend the Remembrance Service at Reading Minster at 9.30am. There will be readings from Mr James Puxley, Lord Lieutenant of the Royal County of Berkshire, Major Robert Whittle, OC C (Berkshire) Company, 7th Battalion, The RIFLES, and the Mayor of Reading, Councillor David Stevens.
A march through the town centre follows the Remembrance Service, led by The Waterloo Band and Bugles of the 7 Rifles. It will leave Reading Minster at around 10.15am before making its way to the Forbury Gardens. The Remembrance Ceremony at the Forbury War Memorial will include the laying of wreaths and a two minute silence at 11am. Again Reading residents are welcome to attend.
Both events on Armistice Day and on Remembrance Sunday will be streamed live on Reading Borough Council’s Facebook page, for those unable to attend but wanting to share in the events.
Reading Mayor, Councillor Stevens, said:
“I invite residents of Reading, and indeed anybody associated with the town, to join us in remembering the ultimate sacrifice made by members of our armed forces and those who continue to risk their lives today.
“The public can join the two minute silence at Forbury Gardens on Armistice Day (Nov 11) from 11am, or join the march through the town centre on Remembrance Sunday (Nov 14), which leaves Reading Minster at 10.15am, ahead of the main ceremony at the Forbury War Memorial and a two minute silence.”
Councillor Jason Brock, Reading Borough Council Leader, said:
“The two separate Remembrance ceremonies taking place in Reading on Armistice Day and on Remembrance Sunday offer residents of the town the opportunity to join the rest of the nation in paying tribute to the courage shown by the brave men and women who gave their lives for our freedom. Remembrance can be both a personal and a collective act and, however one chooses to participate, I know that Reading will never forget.”
Major Erik R C Broderstad, of the 7th Battalion The RIFLES, said:
“The 7th Battalion The RIFLES is both honoured and proud to work alongside and support Reading Borough Council, the people of Berkshire and the wider community, during this year’s season of Remembrance.
“The community we are based in has unbreakable links to the Battalion, our Regiment and its antecedents. Today we continue to recruit from, work for, and mark major events such as our national remembrance with the population and its civic representatives.”