Hackney to pay respects to the fallen on Remembrance Sunday
Hackney will pay tribute to all the servicemen, women and civilians who lost their lives in the two World Wars and later conflicts, at the borough’s Remembrance Sunday parade and church service on Sunday 10 November.
A parade led by Hackney’s Deputy Lieutenant Stephen Howlett DL CBE, consisting of civic dignitaries, including MP Meg Hillier, Mayor of Hackney Caroline Woodley and the Speaker of Hackney, as well as ex-servicemen and women, members of the 3 Military Intelligence Battalion, other reserve forces, cadets and youth organisations, will march from Hackney Town Hall to St John at Hackney Church at 9.30am for the service beginning at 10am.
A collection will be taken at the church entrance for Lighthouse, a project of the Parish of Hackney providing hot meals and holistic care to vulnerable adults across East London, as well as SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity which works to ensure that the needs of the Armed Forces, veterans and their families are met in an appropriate and timely way.
After the Service of Remembrance there will be a wreath-laying ceremony at the Cenotaph from 10.40. Prayers will be followed by the playing of The Last Post and a two minute silence recalling the tragedy of war and commemorating the end of former conflicts.
Faith leaders from across the borough will deliver readings invoking prayers for peace and tolerance, before the parade reassembles and returns to Town Hall for the laying of wreaths at the War Memorial in Town Hall Square by the Speaker and Deputy Lieutenant.
Remembrance Sunday precedes Remembrance Day, observed on November 11, which marks the anniversary of the First World War’s official armistice, taking place on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.
Information on road closures
To facilitate the safe movement of the parade there will be a number of short rolling road closures in place at key junctions leading into Mare Street (including the junctions from Reading Lane, Wilton Way, Morning Lane, Graham Road, Amhurst Road to Bohemia Place) and on Lower Clapton Road (including the junctions of Clarence Road, Dalston Lane/Narrow Way and Saint Church). Drivers are advised to expect short delays of up to 15 minutes in these areas between 09:30 - 09:45 and again around 11:15 - 11:30. In addition, Reading Lane will remain closed from 08:30 - 12:30.
It will be an honour to stand alongside members of the armed forces and fellow Hackney residents to pay tribute to the fallen service men and women from across Britain and the Commonwealth countries. The ceremony is a reminder for today’s generation of the sacrifice those in the past have made. It is important that we never forget the bravery of those who served during the World Wars and all conflicts that have taken place since.
Cllr Sheila Suso-Runge, Speaker of Hackney
Remembrance Day is an opportunity to pay tribute to those in the Armed Forces who have served this country. It is only by all generations remembering the loss and tragedy of war that we might be able to avoid future conflict. Today’s parade and service is a reminder of that tragedy and the sacrifice made by so many in defence of the communities and homes they loved.
Hackney’s Deputy Lieutenant Stephen Howlett DL CBE