Bicester preparing to hold Remembrance Day service

The town will unite on Sunday. November 10, to honour the service men and women who lost their lives in World War One and Two, and other conflicts worldwide.

The day's proceedings will begin at 10.30am with a parade from St Edburg’s Church to Market Square, where the outdoor service will take place.

Remembrance Day in Bicester last year (Image: Bicester Town Council) Hundreds of people from uniformed organisations and military units will take part in the event.

The parade will be led by ATC 2507 (Bicester) Marching Band, with members of 1 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps and the Royal British Legion also taking part.

Once in Market Square, the parade marshal from 1 Regt RLC will line up the participants in preparation for the service and wreath laying, scheduled to start at 10.55am.

Wreaths will be laid by deputy lieutenant Miranda Markham, Bicester’s mayor, councillor Damien Maguire, a Royal British Legion representative, and Calum Miller, MP for Bicester and Woodstock.

During the wreath laying, Bicester Military Wives Choir will perform.

Following this, the mayor, the commanding officer of 1 Regt RLC, Lieutenant Colonel Lucinda Butler, and the deputy lieutenant will take the salute before the parade marches back to the church.

Remembrance Day in Bicester last year (Image: Bicester Town Council) At this point, groups including 1st Bicester Intrepid Scout, 7th Bicester Scout Group, Bicester Detachment Army Cadet Force, 1st Langford Village Scout Group, 1st Southwold Scout Group, police cadets, fire station cadets, and other organisations will join the parade.

Once at the church, an honour guard will receive wreaths from representatives of other local organisations, individuals, and companies which will be laid at the memorial.

A service of remembrance will then take place in St Edburg’s Church from midday, led by the Reverend Peter Wright.

Councillor Maguire, mayor of Bicester, said: "Remembrance Sunday is always a significant day in the council’s calendar.

"It’s a time for us to reflect and pay our respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

Remembrance Day in Bicester last year (Image: Bicester Town Council) "We might be uncomfortable, cold and wet for a short while, which is a lesser sacrifice than that of the people we are gathered to remember.

"It’s particularly poignant for me, as I served in the British army for five years, and Remembrance Sunday was always a very important day to us all."

The 2024 Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal is now underway with stands at Bicester supermarkets Tesco and Sainsbury’s, Cherwell Valley Services, and Bicester Village, with street collections across the town and surrounding villages.

Last year, residents of Bicester and District Area raised a record £70,143.50 for the charity.