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New War Memorial Will Be Focal Point For Remembrance Day

Wreaths will be laid at the steps of Peterborough's new war memorial as part of a service of remembrance to honour those who have lost their lives fighting for their country

Mayor of Peterborough, Councillor George Simons, will lead a procession of dignitaries, Freemen of the City, military representatives and guests from the Town Hall to the war memorial on Bridge Street for wreaths to be laid on Remembrance Day, Sunday 11 November 2012, at 10.15am. The procession will then make its way to Peterborough Cathedral for the service of remembrance at 10.45am. During the service there will be a two minute silence.

Following the service, which will last about an hour, the procession will be led back to the Town Hall where a poppy wreath will be unveiled above the building’s Bridge Street entrance to commemorate those council members and staff who were killed in the two World Wars. This will be followed by a procession through the city’s streets, led by representatives of the army, the Royal British Legion, veteran organisations, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire Hugh Duberly CBE and the Mayor. The Mayor and HM Lord-Lieutenant Mr Duberly will take the salute from a dais, positioned in front of the Town Hall.

Councillor Simons said

I hope that as many residents as possible will attend the service of remembrance to pay their respects. This year’s service will have particular poignancy as we will process to our new memorial in Bridge Street which was unveiled this year after tremendous support from residents of Peterborough for a fundraising campaign to install a war memorial which is a focal point, not just on Remembrance Day, but every day of the year. I would also urge people to support the annual Poppy Appeal. The appeal provides support to veterans from the two World Wars and their widows as well as younger ex-servicemen and women, injured or wounded in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other conflicts

The war memorial in the precincts of Peterborough Cathedral is available for quiet reflection every day of the year. Prior to Remembrance Sunday turf trays will be laid which allow people to spend time there.

Residents are being reminded that access to St Peter’s Road and the Car Haven car park will be closed to vehicles from 6pm on Saturday 10 November 2012 to 2pm on Sunday 11 November 2012.

Residents are also reminded that Peterborough will host a homecoming parade for soldiers returning from Afghanistan on Friday 9 November 2012.

Soldiers from the 1st Battalion of the Royal Anglian Regiment will receive a heroes’ welcome when they parade through Peterborough city centre. The parade will start at the junction of Cross Street and Church Street, with an inspection on Cathedral Square, before passing down Bridge Street to the Town Hall. The parade will commence at 12.30pm.

The Battalion, nicknamed The Vikings, will express their thanks for the support they have received from the public by holding five homecoming parades in their home counties.

The parade is also a time for reflection for those soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice. On the last tour a soldier from The Vikings lost his life and in total 16 soldiers from the Battalion have been killed in Afghanistan since 2002.

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