On Sunday 12th November 2023, Yate Town Council, St Mary’s Church and the Royal British Legion joined together with Acts of Remembrance at the Lych Gate and Parnall Memorial at St Mary’s Church, Yate, to remember those who have lost their lives and suffered through war.
Before the service at 10am, The Boys Brigade marching band led a parade from the Town Council offices at Poole Court to St Mary’s Church. The procession saw the Royal British Legion standard bearer followed by the High Sheriff of Gloucestershire, (Henry Robinson), Mayor of Yate (Councillor Cheryl Kirby), Chair of South Gloucestershire Council (Councillor Mike Drew), as well as Yate Town Councillors, Chairs of local councils, serving military personnel, members of the army cadets, members of the local scouting and guide associations, Girls Brigade, as well as representatives from several community organisations.
We also welcomed the support of the Yate and District Rotary Club who assisted in marshalling the parade, alongside Yate Town Council staff members and the Police.
Reverend Ian Wallace led the service in St Mary’s Church. Following the service, all moved to the Lych Gate for the Act of Remembrance and laying of wreaths. George Hale, member of the The Boys Brigade, sounded the last post and a representative from the Air Cadets read the names of those that had died during the First World War and are named at the Lych Gate.
Wreaths were laid by dignitaries, local veterans, uniformed services, community groups and associations. Then members of the community who wished to lay wreaths were invited to do so.
A further Act of Remembrance took place at the Parnall Memorial within St Mary’s churchyard to commemorate the 52 men and women, and 3 unknown civilian employees of the Parnall Aircraft Ltd, who lost their lives as a result of two air raids which took place in 1941 during the Second World War. Matt Wyatt, a representative of Whirlpool Corporation, whose factory is on the site of Parnall’s Aircraft Factory, laid a wreath in their memory. Councillor Ben Nutland, Deputy Mayor of Yate, also laid a wreath on behalf of the Yate community. Further wreaths were laid by the Air Cadets and local representatives of local community venues and associations.
Further photos can be found by clicking here, courtesy of Rich McD Photography