Hundreds expected to attend Remembrance Sunday service at Oxford War Memorial
Oxford will mark Remembrance Sunday today with a parade and service on St Giles
Remembrance Sunday Services are taking place across the county this morning, including in Oxford where hundreds are expected to gather at the War Memorial, to honour those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Military units, organisations and community groups will march up St Giles from 10am.
The parade will assemble in Magdalen Street East and West and march on, under the direction of the RSM on the day, WO1 James Massey from the Mercian Regiment.
The Lord Mayor of Oxford, Councillor Louise Upton, is hosting today's ceremony just before the 2-minute silence at 11am.
Councillor Louise Upton said: “Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday give us a moment to pause and reflect on the immense sacrifices made by so many in our armed forces and their families.
"As we stand together in silence, we honour the courage and selflessness of those who choose to serve, to protect the freedoms we hold dear. I encourage everyone to take a moment, wherever they are, to remember those who have died in the past, to thank those who serve in our armed forces today, and to hope for a peaceful future.”
A British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter will be located on the junction of St Giles’ and Woodstock Road to the west of the dais.
Organisations attending today's parade include The Salvation Army Band, 4624 County of Oxford Movements Squadron, the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, Royal Air Force Cadets, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Cadets and Girlguiding Oxford.
The Royal British Legion Flag is currently flying above Town Hall, to mark Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day.
Road closures
Several road closures will be in place on Sunday 9 November from 12.01am to 2pm:
The whole of St Giles’ will be closed and parking will be suspended during the Remembrance Sunday event.
The pavement on Banbury Road, opposite the war memorial, will be closed. Members of the public are advised to follow pedestrian diversions or use Woodstock Road.
Other closures include the Banbury Road from its junction with Parks Road to its junction with St Giles’, Beaumont Street from its junction with St John Street to its junction with St Giles’, Keble Road and Magdalen Street East and West.