Dorset marking Armistice Day
Events are taking place across the county
Dorset will be remembering the tragic loss of life in conflicts since the First World War this Armistice Day (Saturday 11th November).
The Council's holding its annual Remembrance Service from 10.40am at County Hall in Dorchester.
That will be led by Revd John Yarrien, and the introduction will be read by Cllr Val Pothecary, Chairman of Dorset Council before the wreaths are laid.
A Bugler and Band will be in attendance and HM Lord-Lieutenant Angus Campbell will read the Exhortation followed by the Last Post and two-minute silence.
The Kohima Plea will be read by Queen’s Gurkha Signals Captain Vijay Raj Ghale.
Cllr Val Pothecary, Chairman of Dorset Council, said:
“We will honour the sacrifice of the fallen and valour of our veterans. We will remember and reflect on the sacrifices made by military personnel and those who have lost their lives as a result of armed conflict or terrorism and all those who have defended our freedoms and protected our way of life.
“We hope that residents will join the Service via the live-stream or in person and we encourage people to mark the two-minute silence at 11.00am.”
In Weymouth, there's a remembrance service planned by the local branch of the Royal British Legion at the town's Cenotaph from 10.50am.
That'll be followed by a similar service at Nothe Fort.
An Armistice Day church service is also being held at Holy Trinity, from 6.25pm this evening.
Free bus travel for military personnel and veterans
Local bus operator First is offering free travel across its bus network for all veterans and Armed Forces personnel travelling to Remembrance activities this weekend.
They just need show the driver their Armed Forces ID or wear their medals or uniform.
James Eustace, Commercial Director for First South, said:
“Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday are important reminders of the sacrifices made by so many in our armed forces. We're making travel to and from Remembrance events as easy as possible for people who are attending, and I am pleased that our business can play our part in supporting and remembering those lost in military service past and present.
“Across First Bus South a number of our colleagues are veterans, particularly in areas where we operate with strong military connections. We’re very proud of them, and is our way of saying thank you to them, as well as honouring our armed forces.”