Leeds Remembrance Sunday service set for 8 November

The Lord Mayor will lead the city’s annual tribute at Victoria Gardens, with a two-minute silence at 11am.

Councillor Stephen Holroyd, the Lord Mayor of Leeds, is inviting residents to attend the Remembrance Sunday service on Sunday 8 November. The ceremony will honour servicemen and women who died in the service of their country.

A parade involving veterans’ organisations, former service personnel and serving military personnel will march from Rossington Street to the war memorial at Victoria Gardens. The Lord Mayor’s party is due to leave Leeds Civic Hall at 10.50am and join the procession behind the parade.

Among those expected to lay wreaths with the Lord Mayor are Helen Thomson DL, HM Vice Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, and Councillor Salma Arif, deputy leader of Leeds City Council. Members of Parliament and other political representatives, the new Children’s Mayor of Leeds, Bahrawar Ahmad, and family representatives of those who died are also due to attend.

Service and two-minute silence

The multi-faith service at the war memorial will be led by the Right Reverend Arun Arora, Bishop of Kirkstall. It will include contributions from Jewish, Muslim, Sikh and Hindu faith representatives.

A bugler will sound the Last Post before attendees join the national two-minute silence at 11am. Two large screens in Victoria Gardens will show the service for members of the public who are further from the front.

After the ceremony, the Lord Mayor and civic representatives will move to Millennium Square for a salute and march past.

Councillor Holroyd said the occasion was an opportunity for people to come together to remember those who had died in the two world wars and conflicts since 1945. He also said the day recognised people who had lost their lives through conflict or terrorism, as well as the roles of emergency services and civilians.

Armistice Day ceremony

A separate short service will take place at Victoria Gardens War Memorial on Wednesday 11 November, beginning at 10.50am. Wreaths will be laid by the Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Professor Adeeba Malik MBE, and the Lord Mayor.

Remembrance Sunday is held on the second Sunday in November, the Sunday closest to Armistice Day. The annual observance commemorates British and Commonwealth military and civilian personnel who served in the two world wars and conflicts since 1945.