Farnham remembers

Farnham came together in large numbers on Sunday (9 November) for the annual Remembrance Parade and Service, honouring all those who gave their lives in the line of duty.

Close to 300 participants representing the Farnham branch of the Royal British Legion and local uniformed organisations processed from Castle Street to the war memorial at Gostrey Meadow. Residents lined The Borough and South Street to watch the parade and pay their respects.

At the war memorial, parade members were greeted by the Mayor of Farnham, Councillor George Murray and a reading of ‘What is Remembrance Sunday’ by Richard Varley, Branch President of Farnham Royal British Legion. The service was led by the Rector of Farnham, Rev’d David Uffindell with support from Pastor Fortune Ncube of Emmanuel Church.

As the clock approached 11am, HH Christopher Critchlow DL and Henry Jones, representing the young people of Farnham, read the Remembering Epitaph. Piper Hamish Robertson played a solemn lament, followed by Steve Burgess of Alder Valley Brass performing The Last Post.

The two-minute silence concluded with The Reveille, again played by Steve Burgess. A representative from Farnham Royal British Legion then read the Kohima Epitaph after which wreaths were laid around the memorial by guests who included the Deputy Mayor of Waverley, Greg Stafford MP, representatives of the armed services, veterans, veterans’ charities, the emergency services, and community groups. The ceremony continued with hymns and prayers.

Following the service, the 45-strong civic party which included the Mayor of Farnham, Deputy Lieutenant Christopher Critchlow, the Deputy Mayor of Waverley, the town crier and representatives of community and charitable organisations moved to South Street to take the salute as the parade marched past.

Additional remembrance services were held throughout the town on Sunday, including at the memorials in Badshot Lea, the Bourne, Hale, Rowledge, Weybourne and Wrecclesham.

As part of Farnham’s long-held tradition, the Friday before Remembrance Sunday saw children and staff from 14 local schools gather at the war memorial for a special schools’ remembrance service. Led by the Mayor, Councillor George Murray, the event welcomed guests including Deputy Lieutenant Mark Seligman, Families Minister Anastasia Reeves of St Thomas on the Bourne and representatives of the Farnham Royal British Legion.

At 11am, those present observed a silence in memory of those who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars and conflicts since. Afterwards, children from six schools read original poems written for the occasion. This was followed by the laying of wreaths and planting of crosses.

The service ended with an invitation for the children to join the Mayor for refreshments at the Town Hall.

Farnham Town Council organised the main Remembrance Sunday parade in partnership with the Farnham branch of the Royal British Legion. The schools’ remembrance service was coordinated by Farnham Town Council and the Farnham Schools’ Confederation.