IT will be a busy calendar of Remembrance this year for the city of Wells.
The Poppy Appeal will run from Thursday, October 23, until Tuesday, November 11.
The Royal British Legion will be running a poppy stall in the market square on the three Saturdays during the appeal which are October 25, November 1 and November 8. Poppy Appeal tins and poppies will be placed with local businesses, including the major supermarkets, that support the appeal and also distributed to the primary schools in the district.
People who would like to support the appeal by assisting with collections or having a Poppy Appeal collection at their business or organisation should contact the branch (details below).
The Somerset Festival of Remembrance will take place at Wells Cathedral at 7pm on Saturday, November 1. This event is organised by Somerset County Royal British Legion and tickets are available through the Wells Cathedral website and their Eventbrite website. Tickets are still available but are selling fast (eventbrite.co.uk/e/somerset-festival-of-remembrance-tickets-1502585075409).
On Remembrance Sunday, November 9, there will be a service of Remembrance at Saint Cuthbert’s parish church followed by a Remembrance parade through the city from Saint Cuthbert’s to the Harry Patch Memorial. Taking part in the parade will be the city’s veterans with the Royal British Legion, military units, cadet forces and the Scouts and Guiding associations. Any veterans who wish to join the parade should form up with the Royal British Legion party on St Cuthbert Street immediately after the service.
Wreaths may be purchased directly from the Poppy Shop (poppyshop.org.uk) or via the local Royal British Legion branch. They will be available at the Poppy Stall in the market square or branch Chair Alistair McBride can be emailed directly on Wells.Chair@rbl.community to arrange purchase. People who want to lay a wreath during the service should let either Alistair or St Cuthbert’s Church know so that they can be included on the order of service.
On November 11 there will be a short act of Remembrance at the Conduit in Wells market square. All are welcome to attend.
At Wells Cathedral, an Act of Remembrance at 11am on November 9 will be woven into the Cathedral Eucharist starting at 10.30am, and there will be an Act of Remembrance at 11am on November 11 at the Wells Cathedral War Memorial in the North Transept.