Sun shines on Shipston's Remembrance Parade

Despite torrential rain the day before, the sun shone for the parade on Remembrance Sunday in the High Street. As the church bells tolled, Shipston Town Band led the parade of the Shipston Branch of The Royal British Legion members, Mayor Philip Vial and the Civic Party, High School prefects, Young Fire Fighters, the Scout Group and St John’s Ambulance. 

Thirteen wreaths were laid at the War Memorial upon the parade’s arrival at church, including one laid by descendant family members of Archie Nichols whose name is on the memorial and was killed in action on 9 May 1915. 

The congregation of just over 400 filled St Edmund’s for the Service of Remembrance, led by Rector Andrew Coleby. The names of the fallen were read out by High School students as reported on page 5. After the Exhortation to the Fallen, Two Minutes Silence was observed at 11am, followed by Last Post and Reveille being sounded by John Smith. 

The service proceeded with the Legion and Youth Group Standards being laid on the altar concluding with singing of the National Anthem after the Standards had been retrieved ready for the march back to the High Street. The parade saluted the War Memorial as it marched past to honour the memory of Shipston’s fallen. 

On Armistice Day, 11th November, at 11am, a sizeable crowd gathered in the High Street to observe Two Minutes Silence. The High Street came to a silent halt for the occasion. 

Richard Adams, Chairman of the Royal British Legion, Shipston Branch, said: “On behalf of The Royal British Legion, custodians of perpetuating Remembrance, I would like to thank the many who joined or observed these events. It is right that while not forgetting all who made the Supreme Sacrifice we especially remember the Shipston men who died so bravely. We are proud of them and they must never be forgotten.”