Communities across Wyre will come together this month to honour the service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces, past and present, at a series of Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day commemorations.
Parades, processions and services will take place across the borough, with veterans, serving personnel, community groups, elected members and residents joining together to remember those who have given their lives in conflict and service to their country.
To help as many people as possible attend, Wyre Council will provide free parking between 8am and 2pm on Sunday 8 November at the following car parks:
- Wheatsheaf Way, Poulton-le-Fylde
- High Street, Garstang
- Albert Street and Custom House Lane, Fleetwood
Ahead of the commemorations, Wyre Council teams are carrying out seasonal planting, maintenance and grounds work at memorial sites across the borough. Council officers, volunteers and representatives from the Royal British Legion have also recently placed wooden crosses on war graves at Fleetwood Cemetery in a quiet act of remembrance.
On Remembrance Sunday, three dedicated council teams will begin work from 4.30am to complete final preparations, including planting chrysanthemums and ensuring memorial sites are ready to welcome those attending services.
Leader of Wyre Council, Councillor Michael Vincent, said:
"Remembrance Sunday is an important opportunity for us to come together as a community to honour the courage, sacrifice and service of our Armed Forces, past and present. We invite residents to join us at one of the services taking place across the borough as we pay our respects and remember those who gave so much."
Residents are advised that temporary road closures will be in place in Barton, Garstang, Thornton and Fleetwood to allow Remembrance services to take place safely.
Full details of the services across Wyre can be found below. If you require any further information please contact Ethan Kinsey, Senior Electoral Services Officer, on 01253 887431.
Remembrance Day services – Sunday 8 November
Fleetwood
The Remembrance Sunday parade will assemble at The Kings Own Club on Adelaide Street at 10am, with a secondary assembly point at the top of Warrenhurst Road from 10.30am. The parade will proceed to Memorial Park for the service and wreath-laying ceremony. Councillor Roger Berry will represent the Mayor of Wyre, alongside Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire John Barnett.
Garstang
Participants are asked to assemble at the High Street car park from 9am before the parade sets off through the town, arriving at St Thomas' Church at approximately 9.35am. Following the church service, a wreath-laying ceremony will take place at the War Memorial on Park Hill Road. Temporary road closures will be in place between 10.20am and 11.30am. Councillor Lynne Bowen will attend on behalf of the Mayor, accompanied by Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire Mark Mills.
Poulton-le-Fylde
Residents are invited to gather at the War Memorial in Market Place from 10.40am for the annual act of remembrance. Those attending will include Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire Lt Col Richard Beatson, the Mayor of Wyre Councillor Steve Nicholls, Honorary Alderman David Henderson representing Andrew Snowden MP, Lancashire County Councillor Alf Clempson, Wyre Council Armed Forces Lead Member Councillor Peter Le Marinel and Wyre Youth Mayor Amelia Sherry.
Thornton-Cleveleys
The Thornton-Cleveleys service will take place at the Cenotaph at Four Lane Ends. Those wishing to take part in the parade should assemble at the Thornton Little Theatre car park before 10.10am, with the parade departing at 10.30am. Attendees will include Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire Suzie Reynolds, Council Leader Councillor Michael Vincent representing the Mayor, Deputy Mayor Councillor Steven Livesey, Councillor Rob Fail representing Lorraine Beavers MP and Wyre Council Chief Executive Rebecca Huddleston.
Preesall
The Remembrance Sunday parade will assemble on the Playing Field car park at 12.45pm before departing at 1pm for the cenotaph, where a short service and wreath-laying ceremony will take place. The parade will then continue to St Oswald's Church for a service, followed by refreshments in the church hall. Deputy Lieutenant Wes Johnson and Wyre Council Director Jo Billington will be in attendance.
Armistice Day services - Wednesday 11 November
Preesall
A short Armistice Day service will be held at the Battle of Britain Memorial on the Esplanade, Knott End, with attendees asked to gather from 10.40am. Amanda Parker JP, Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire, will attend alongside The Mayor of Wyre, Councillor Steve Nicholls.
Barton, Bilsborrow and Myerscough
A service will take place at the War Memorial in Bilsborrow from 10.40am. There will be no parade this year. The village hall will be open from 10am, with parking and light refreshments available for attendees. Councillor Daniel Bolton will represent the Mayor at the service.