READING will pause to remember the fallen this weekend.
The annual Remembrance Sunday parade and gathering at The Forbury will take place as usual, and it will also be live-streamed online for those who want to take part but feel they need to stay away due to the covid pandemic.
Tomorrow – Armistice Day – the borough mayor, Cllr David Stevens, will lead a two-minute silence at the Forbury Gardens War memorial. This takes place at 11am, and the event is open to the public.
Then on Sunday, November 14, there will be a parade and act of remembrance in the town centre.
A remembrance service takes place in Reading Minster Church at 9.30am. It includes readings from James Puxley, Lord Lieutenant of the Royal County of Berkshire, Major Robert Whittle, OC C (Berkshire) Company, 7th Battalion, The RIFLES, and the mayor.
After the service, there will be a parade through the town centre.
This will be led by The Waterloo Band and Bugles of the 7 Rifles.
It will leave Reading Minster at around 10.15am before making its way to the Forbury Gardens.
The Remembrance Ceremony at the Forbury War Memorial will include the laying of wreaths and a two-minute silence at 11am.
These events are open to the public, so they can pay their respects.
Cllr Stevens is pleased that the service is back again this year.
“I invite residents of Reading, and indeed anybody associated with the town, to join us in remembering the ultimate sacrifice made by members of our armed forces and those who continue to risk their lives today,” he said.
“The public can join the two-minute silence at Forbury Gardens on Armistice Day from 11am, or join the march through the town centre on Remembrance Sunday, which leaves Reading Minster at 10.15am, ahead of the main ceremony at the Forbury War Memorial and a two-minute silence.”
Councillor Jason Brock, Reading Borough Council Leader, said: “The two separate Remembrance ceremonies taking place in Reading on Armistice Day and on Remembrance Sunday offer residents of the town the opportunity to join the rest of the nation in paying tribute to the courage shown by the brave men and women who gave their lives for our freedom. Remembrance can be both a personal and a collective act and, however one chooses to participate, I know that Reading will never forget.”
And Major Erik R C Broderstad, of the 7th Battalion The RIFLES, said: “The battalion is both honoured and proud to work alongside and support Reading Borough Council, the people of Berkshire and the wider community, during this year’s season of Remembrance.
“The community we are based in has unbreakable links to the Battalion, our Regiment and its antecedents. Today we continue to recruit from, work for, and mark major events such as our national remembrance with the population and its civic representatives.”
Both events on Armistice Day and on Remembrance Sunday will be streamed live on Reading Borough Council’s Facebook page, for those unable to attend but wanting to take part.
Many churches will be holding services around 11am, although some numbers may be limited due to covid.
