The Ross-on-Wye branch of the Royal British Legion worked tirelessly in the lead up to Remembrance Sunday to ensure the service was the best it could possibly be. These efforts undoubtedly paid off.

The tolling of the church bells echoed the solemn atmosphere of the day. Hundreds gathered in St Mary’s Churchyard to pay their respects to the thousands of fallen soldiers who had given their lives to protect the freedom of this country.

The annual parade met at the police station, and led the way to the Ross-on-Wye War Memorial at the Prospect for the wreath laying ceremony.

The Presiding Minister, Reverend Nick Adley opened the service with a prayer. In it, he stated:?“We pray for all, who in bereavement, disability and pain continue to suffer the consequences of fighting and terror. We remember with thanksgiving and sorrow those whose lives, in wars and conflicts past and present, have been taken away.”

The Ross Town Band then sounded ‘The Last Post,’ and the standards were lowered. A silence was marked to remember those who had died while fighting in conflicts. The band then played ‘Reveille’ and the standards were then raised once more.

Margaret Jones, the Secretary of the Ross branch of the Royal British Legion kindly helped some of the youngest standard bearers when it was time to lower and raise their standards.

Graham Aplin, Chairman of the Ross branch of the Royal British Legion, was accompanied by a representative of the 2nd Ross Guides, as they each read out their part of the Exhortation.

Attending on behalf of Lady Darnley, the Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire, was James Nicholas DL. Mr Nicholas was the first to lay a wreath of poppies on the Memorial.

The Mayor of Ross-on-Wye, Colin Gray, was the second to lay a wreath. He was followed by Councillor Richard Mayo, who represented Herefordshire Council. Anthea McIntyre MEP, the local Member of European Parliament then took her turn to lay a wreath.

Many more local groups and organisations then came forward to pay their respects, each laying a wreath.

Lady Darnley’s representative, James Nicholas DL, invited Paul Deneen OBE?JP?DL?to say a few words. Mr Deneen thanked the members of the Royal British Legion for their hard work. He said:?“The Royal British Legion does much to help provide thousands of modern veterans, service men, women and their families with vital advice and support. We are fortunate to have an excellent Royal British Legion locally, and I take this opportunity to thank them for all of their excellent efforts.”

He added:?“I also take this opportunity to thank all those involved in this Remembrance Day and the wreath laying today: James Nicholas, representing Lady Darnley, the Mayor of Ross-on-Wye, local MEP, our local County, Town and Parish Councillors, all current serving and past Armed Forces Personnel, the Air Cadets, Army Cadets and Sea Cadets, all those involved in the Public Services - the Police, the Fire and Rescue and Ambulance and Health services, Charitable Organisations which support Veterans, those who support and assist Children and Young People’s organisations, the local High School and local Primary Schools, Businesses, Political Parties, and local Clubs and Societies.”

“I would like to thank those from St Mary’s Church for the part it has played in today’s and other Remembrance Day Events and also for organising the special service today in St Mary’s Church, which we are all invited to attend and which follows this Remembrance Sunday Event.”

Everyone was then invited into St Mary’s Church for a Remembrance Service.