Remembrance Day Service
REMEMBRANCE SERVICE TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY 12 NOVEMBER 2023
The Remembrance Service for 2023 will be held on Sunday 12 November at 10:45am, with an outdoor service to be held at the Cenotaph and an indoor service to also be held at The Memo Arts Centre afterwards.
During the 1920’s, it was decided that Barry would build a memorial for all the Barry people who had lost their lives fighting for our freedom during the First World War. The Cenotaph was completed and opened in November 1932, with significant funding and donations from the people of Barry and the descendants of David Davies.
Royal British Legion and Barry Town Council will be working together to provide an outdoor Remembrance Service, to honor those who have bravely given their lives to ensure the freedom and safety for the people of Barry.
The outdoor service will be led by Father Chris Seaton, Chaplain to The Royal British Legion. At 10:45am a wreath laying will take place followed by a service of Remembrance and a 2-minute silence to be observed at 11am. Following this, everyone is invited to follow into to Memo Arts Centre for an additional service, including songs, readings and light refreshments.
This year, RBL and Barry Town Council has met regularly to discuss the event and a difficult decision has been made to not host a parade for 2023 – due to Health and Safety challenges which cannot be overcome at this late stage. The Royal British Legion had been responsible for parades until 2019 when it was then recommended by a new Royal British Legion policy that local councils take on the additional responsibilities. This followed an incident in 2018 when an Army veteran suffered serious head injuries when he was hit by a car while marshalling the Studley Remembrance Sunday parade.
Leader of Barry Town Council, Cllr Bronwen Brooks said ““Barry Town Council is committed to providing a Remembrance Service for the people of Barry and honouring those who gave their lives for us and our freedom. We have worked with Royal British Legion for many years to create a lovely service and will continue to do so, where we are able.”
“We are saddened to have to cancel the parade for 2023, but due to unresolved Health and Safety considerations, we have to prioritise the safety of the groups, pedestrians, veterans, emergency services, children and staff. Hopefully, RBL and Barry Town Council can work together on these issues next year.”
Barry Town Council will remain committed to supporting local events, community groups and businesses as always; having supported Cadstock, Glastonbarry, Elderly Christmas Meals, Barry Pride, Halloween Trick or Treat Trail and Easter Trail, just to name a few. There will continue to be a priority for partnership working and all efforts will be made to work together with RBL for Remembrance Sunday in 2024.
Each year, Barry Town Council and the Royal British Legion are so thankful for the public support at the Remembrance Sunday Service and hope that this support continues, as we remember together those who gave up their today for our tomorrow.
