Frome gets ready to mark Remembrance Sunday

The town’s annual Remembrance Parade is due to be held on Sunday 10th November.  

A parade, led by the Frome Platoon, the Silver Bugles and the Somerset ACF Band, followed by the National Standard and Standards of the three armed forces, the Royal British Legion, veterans, uniformed personnel and youth, will set off from the Drill Hall at 10.42am for the Memorial Garden at Frome Memorial Theatre.   

The ceremony begins at 10.55am, with a two-minute silence at 11am and will finish at 11.20am. All are invited to the Assembly Rooms for refreshments afterwards. 

Organiser Jane Norris said, “With the seemingly never-ending and ferocious conflicts around the world, it is with particular meaning that Frome will have the opportunity to stop and join the nation in silence, when we come together at the Memorial Garden of the Frome Memorial Theatre for an Act of Remembrance on Remembrance Sunday, 10th November. 

“This poignant, unifying pause in our lives has been observed on every Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day since the 11th November 1919, one year to the hour that the Great War ended.   

“There is nothing great in war. The Royal British Legion, as custodians of Remembrance, working with Frome Town Council, offer the constancy that we will never forget. An invitation is extended to pause for two minutes in our lives at 11am. Thoughts may be for one person, for those in conflict, for many suffering, for whole nations or for peace.” 

As a veteran herself, Jane feels strongly that we can demonstrate our commitment to all affected by war and conflict, in body, mind or by association in any way, by remembering and learning from the horrors: ‘Lest we forget.’ 

Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineer veteran Tannhauser Hughes will read the Exhortation this year: 

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old 

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn, 

At the going down of the sun and in the morning, 

We will remember them” 

Tannhauser has published a book on his father’s part in Operation Market Garden, 80 years ago this year.  Local men also took part in D-Day and the ensuing advance to liberate Europe in 1944. 

Details of the Frome Parade and Act of Remembrance can be obtained from Jane who is the coordinator of the Frome Royal British Legion. 

 For more information, contact Jane Norris at jane.norris9@gmail.com or 07776 208 5312.