The city will come together this weekend to pay tribute to its fallen service men and women at the annual Service of Remembrance.
The service will take place at the Arch of Remembrance in Victoria Park on Sunday, 9 November.
Picture credit: Leicester City Council
This year’s event carries special significance, marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War and the 100th anniversary of Leicester’s iconic Arch of Remembrance, which was unveiled in 1925 to honour those who lost their lives in the First World War.
In preparation for the centenary, the Portland stone arch has undergone a careful restoration, with specialists using high-temperature steam to gently clean the structure and re-gilding the etched lettering in keeping with its Listed Building status.
The service will begin at 10.45am, following a parade led by the Seaforth Highlanders Pipes and Drums, featuring members of the armed forces, reservists, veterans and cadets. The parade will set off from De Montfort Hall at 10.40am, making its way to the arch, where the Bishop of Loughborough, the Rt Reverend Saju Muthulaly, will lead the ceremony.
A bugler will sound the Last Post before the firing of salutes signals the start of the traditional two-minute silence at 11am. A piper will then play a lament, followed by hymns accompanied by the Salvation Army Band, supported by the City of Leicester Singers and the Leicester Cathedral Choir.
Official wreaths will be laid by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Colonel Richard Hurwood DL, and the Lord Mayor of Leicester, Councillor Teresa Aldred, alongside representatives from the emergency services, military units and local faith communities. Members of the public will also be invited to lay wreaths at the conclusion of the ceremony.
Adding to the poignancy of this year’s commemoration, Maureen Hill and Janet Irons will lay wreaths in honour of their grandmothers, Annie Glover and Elizabeth Butler, who unveiled the Arch of Remembrance a century ago. Between them, the two women lost seven sons during the First World War.
Following the service, the parade will pass through the Arch of Remembrance before returning to De Montfort Hall via Centenary Walk.
Lord Mayor Cllr Teresa Aldred said: “Remembrance Sunday is a time when we can come together as a city and county to reflect on the sacrifices made by the men and women of our armed forces in defence of our country.
This is an opportunity for us to pay our respects to all those whose lives have been lost in armed conflict, and I will be deeply honoured to lay a wreath in their memory on behalf of the people of Leicester.”
Limited public seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, with designated areas for those with disabilities or who are unable to stand for long periods.
Road closures will be in place on Granville Road and Regent Road from 9am to 1pm, with parking restrictions enforced throughout the area. Access for Salisbury Road residents will be maintained.
On Remembrance Day itself (Tuesday, 11 November), Leicester Market will hold a two-minute silence at 11am in Green Dragon Square, where shoppers and traders are invited to pause and reflect alongside the Lord Mayor.
