This year Remembrance Sunday will coincide with the Armistice Centenary, which marks 100 years since the end of the First World War.
On Sunday (November 11) there will be a number of events taking place across Manchester to mark the occasion.
Photo: holmes_adventuresAt 6am a lone piper at Manchester Cathedral will play Battle’s O’er as a thousand pipers across the UK and around the world will begin the day’s commemorations in the same way. Civic dignitaries, servicemen and women, service and ex-service organisations, faith leaders and uniformed organisations will take part in Manchester’s Remembrance Day parade, which will set off from the Radisson Hotel on Peter Street at 10.25am.
The parade will march to the Cenotaph in St Peter’s Square, opposite the Cooper Street entrance of the town hall. Faith leaders will join the civic parade which will include representatives from the Muslim, Afro-Caribbean Christian Churches, Sikh, Hindu, Jain and Jewish communities along with clergy from the Free Church, Church of England and Catholic Church; as well as elected members, consuls and magistrates.
At 11am there will be a two-minute silence, the start and end of which will be marked by the firing of a 105mm gun. After the service, a march past of Service Organisations will take place outside Central Library on St Peter’s Square. This will be observed by the Lord Lieutenant, Lord Mayor, senior representatives from the Army, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, Reserve Forces, Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, and 207 Field Hospital.
The nation’s bells to ring at 12.30pm as a symbolic way to give thanks to those who gave their lives 100 years ago. The act will replicate the national outpouring of relief that took place at the end of World War I as news of the Armistice filtered through and bells which had largely been silent during the conflict rang out. In Manchester, bells at Manchester Cathedral, The Hidden Gem and other locations will be rung with gusto.
A single Bugler will sound the Last Post at Manchester Cathedral at 6.55pm. Some 1,000 individual Buglers will sound this historic tribute across the Nation and UK Overseas Territories. And at 7pm a beacon will be lit outside Manchester Cathedral. More than 1,000 Beacons of Light will be lit at locations across Britain and UK Overseas Territories, symbolising an end to the darkness of war and a return to the light of peace.
Lord Mayor of Manchester Councillor June Hitchen, said:
“On Remembrance Sunday, Manchester will remember and honour all those who have lost their lives in active service. While remembering the fallen in all conflicts, a number of solemn events will also mark the centenary of the Armistice -100 years since the end of The First World War.
“It is important that people come out and show their support on occasions like this which gives us time to reflect on past and present conflicts and allows us to pay tribute to the enormous sacrifices made by all members of the armed forces while performing their duty.”
To view the full programme planned to mark this centenary, click here.