Remembrance November 2024
Montgomery Wales News Team.....
The Remembrance Sunday Parade formed up on Broad Street, marshalled by the Sergeants at Mace, David and Mark Weaver. The parade comprised veterans from each service; representatives of the Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers with their standards; the Trefoil Guild; Freemen of Montgomery; the Clergy; the Fire Service, Police and NHS; the Sergeants at Mace, members of the Town Council, and the County Councillor.
With flags and standards, they marched from Broad Street to Church for the Remembrance Sunday Service at St Nicholas’ Church. The service was led by Pool Mission Area leader, Revd Paulette Gower. Having previously led Remembrance services at Montgomery’s Memorial Garden, the County Memorial, and other churches in the Mission Area, this was Revd Paulette’s first Remembrance Sunday service at St Nicholas’ itself.
Following the service in church, the parade reformed and continued at a slow march to the Garden of Remembrance and War Memorial. It is ten years since the Gardens were extensively refurbished and the War Memorial was constructed and dedicated to mark the centenary of the start of WW1. Here, those gathered remembered the men and women of Montgomery Town who served in the two World Wars and the sacrifices of those whose lives were lost and damaged in these and later conflicts.
The parade bugler, Bill Ridley, played Calon Lân as everyone assembled for the service, which was led by Revd. Paulette, who opened with ecumenical prayers on behalf of St Nicholas’ Church and Montgomery Chapel. The two National flags were paraded either side of the Memorial by Lesley Williams and Russ Honeyman, wreaths were laid on behalf of the town’s organisations and in memory of those who suffered.
All were welcomed back to the Town Hall for hot drinks and biscuits courtesy of the Mayor. Donations were added to those generously made at The Pound and in Church. In total, just over £400 was collected on Sunday to be added to the Poppy Appeal total, and go to support the work of the Royal British Legion.
The service was live streamed for those unable to attend for reasons such as travel or ill health, and was watched live from as far away as Perth, Australia. An edited video of the Remembrance Sunday service was then shared on Armistice Day morning. Mark Michaels, usually resident in Montgomery but currently in Leon, Spain, said, “Thank you to those who provided this link so those of us unable to attend could be 'present'. Always such a moving and memorable occasion.” Former Mayor Paulene Jones commented, “Beautiful service and the bugle player is to be congratulated for the perfect heart aching contributions to the service.”
Ray Butler, who now lives in Knighton and watched from home, said, “I was very pleased to be able to watch the service. Thank you for recording it. I was born in Montgomery in 1941 and my father’s name is on the memorial - Francis Butler. I remember as a young lad the site where the memorial garden stands, known as The Pound. I could see it from my Grandmother’s cottages in Rowes Terrace. Thanks very much to those who created this wonderful memorial garden.”
More information can be found on the Montgomery Wales website along with detailed information on those that had fallen on both world wards. Please click here to find out more: Montgomery Wales Remembrance
