Special services will remember the war heroes

BRITISH servicemen who have given their lives in conflicts around the world will be remembered at special services across the district on Sunday (November 8).

In Lichfield the Remembrance Day parade will gather at 10.30am in The Close before marching to the Garden of Remembrance in Beacon Street for the silence at 11am and subsequent laying of wreaths.

In Burntwood the parade will move off from Burntwood Memorial Institute in Rugeley Road at 10.15am before returning to the institute for a service at 10.45am.

Featuring local scouts the Chase Terrace Remembrance Day Parade will include a service and act of remembrance at the cenotaph from 10.45am.

St John's Community Church in High Street will be open for tea and coffee from 10.15am.

Chasetown's parade will assemble in the car park at Burntwood Recreation Centre at 10.15am ready to march off at 10.30am along High Street for the service in Chasetown Memorial Gardens commencing at 10.45am. Wreath laying and a two-minute silence will be observed at 11am. Afterwards, there will be a special morning service at St Anne's Church in Church Street.

St Augustine's Church in Station Road is the scene for Rugeley's Remembrance Day service at 9am.

This will be followed by a parade up to Rugeley War Memorial for the 11am silence.

There will be a separate Brereton parade.

Villages across the district have arranged Remembrance Day services for Sunday.

Visitors will also be welcome at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas.

The arboretum, which is supported by the Royal British Legion, is hosting traditional services of remembrance in the visitor centre courtyard at 10.45am and 2pm.

Prior to the morning service there will be a concert of World War II music beside the visitor centre at 10am. A parade of standards will take place at 12 noon.

Local Methodist preacher, Pastor Paul Owens, is set to lead the services. Music, under the direction of Cornell Barnes, is courtesy of The Warwickshire Band (Royal Regiment of Fusiliers) and the West Midlands Police Brass Band and Corps of Drums.

Parade Marshal for the Birmingham Federation of Servicemen, Sgt Tony Slater, will lead a parade of standards, with the salute being given to Richard Haszard, High Sheriff of Staffordshire.