Redditch community share heart warming moment on Remembrance Sunday

On Sunday, November 13 around 2000 people gathered to watch the annual remembrance parade make its way from the Palace Theatre on Alcester Street to the war memorial by St Stephen’s Church.

Armed Forces representatives. (Image: Mark Reynolds.)

Then a service of remembrance was led by Rev Paul Lawlor from St Stephens before wreaths were laid down at the monument.

An emotional moment of solidarity was shown when the crowd erupted into applause after a Ukrainian member of the town’s community laid a poppy wreath on behalf of the warn-torn country.

Wreaths at St Stephen's Church. (Image: Mark Reynolds.)

Redditch’s MP, Rachel Maclean, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire, Beatrice Grant, Cllr Ann Isherwood, mayor of Redditch, Cllr Matt Dormer, leader of the council; and Redditch Labour leader Cllr Joe Baker also attended the service.

A spokesperson for the Redditch Royal British Legion (RBL) has thanked everyone involved in the organisation of the day.

St Stephen's Church. (Image: Mark Reynolds.)

“As we come together in Remembrance for our Armed Forces this year, we remember the service and sacrifice of all those that have defended our freedoms and protected our way of life,” said the spokesperson.

“We pay tribute to Her late Majesty the Queen, the Royal British Legion’s Patron of 70 years and longest serving Commander-in-Chief of the British military.”

The mayor of Redditch, Cllr Isherwood said she ‘was honoured to be the mayor’ of the town on ‘such a thought-provoking day’.

Remembrance Day parade. (Image: Mark Reynolds.)

She also said she was ’privileged to shake the hands of any that had fought in battle’.

On Friday, November 11 a short service was held at the memorial on Plymouth Road which was a short act of remembrance led by Rev Paul Lawlor and representatives from the Redditch RBL.

Elsewhere in the borough services were also held in Astwood Bank, Wythall and Alvechurch.