Bicester Town Council’s Remembrance Day service and parade will take on a new format this year to ensure it’s more inclusive for residents.
Earlier this year, councillors agreed to make three changes to the structure of the town’s Remembrance Sunday event, on November 12, to allow more residents to take part.
The biggest change is to the parade and outdoor service - this year participants will march twice – firstly to signal the start of the day and again to lead people back to the church for the main service of remembrance.
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As usual, hundreds of people from uniformed organisations and local military units will take part in the parade.
It will be led by ATC 2507 (Bicester) Marching Band with members of 1 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps and the Royal British Legion.
The parade will march from St Edburg’s Church at about 10.30am to Market Square where the outdoor service will be held for the first time. Previously the outdoor service took place in front of St Edburg’s Church.
They will be lined up in Market Square by a Parade Marshal from 1 Regt RLC in readiness for the service and wreath laying which starts at 10.55am.
Afterwards, Mayor Harry Knight, the Commanding Officer of 1 Regt RLC Lt Col Lucinda Butler MBE and Deputy Lieutenant Miranda Markham will take the salute, before the parade marches back to the church.
With more room available for the outdoor service in Market Square, residents are being urged to join.
Wreath laying will also change this year - only local dignitaries will lay wreathes at the outdoor service. All other groups or individuals should take their wreath to the memorial at St Edburg’s Church and hand it over to the Honour Guard who will then lay it on their behalf.
The main service of remembrance will take place in St Edburg’s Church from 12 noon.
Mr Knight said: “This event is staged in conjunction with Bicester Garrison, St Edburg’s Church, the Royal British Legion and the council and is a significant day in the town council’s calendar.
“Bicester has long-standing affiliation to the military - many residents have previously served in the forces and many still do. We understand that taking part in Remembrance Sunday and being able to pay their respects was very important for many.
“Both the outdoor and indoor services are always oversubscribed, so we felt by moving part of it to a larger space would give more people the opportunity to take part. We would love to see more people join us for this very special day.”
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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.
Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.
Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1
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