Remembrance Day 2023: what's happening across the Bristol area

There are services and parades across the city this weekend

November 11 marks Armistice Day, when on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, a ceasefire was declared, and silence fell upon the battlefields of France as World War I came to an end.

On the closest Sunday, this year November 12, we reflect and remember the Armed Forces, and their families, from Britain and the Commonwealth, the vital role played by the emergency services and those who have lost their lives as a result of conflict or terrorism since 1914.

A two-minute silence is observed at the eleventh hour to reflect upon the lives lost.

Here are 11 remembrance services happening this weekend in Bristol:

Cenotaph, City Centre

A two-minute silence will be held on Sunday from 11am, followed by the laying of wreaths and a short service. The annual parade will be led by Royal Marines Reserve Bristol, HMS Flying Fox. Military units, cadet contingents, veterans and related groups will assemble on College Green, ready to march down to the Cenotaph on Colston Avenue at approximately 10.30am. They will be followed by a mounted police escort and dignitaries from Bristol who collectively make up the Civic Procession. The military parade, other contingents and the civic procession will return to College Green at the end of the service.

St Mary’s Church, Shirehampton

A service will be held at 10am on Sunday before a procession to the War Memorial, led by veterans and uniformed groups, where a two-minute silence will be held.

St Barnabas Church, Knowle West

There will be dedication to working for peace during the 10am Sunday service before a two-minute silence is held towards the end of the service to coincide with 11am.

St Augustine's, Whitchurch

During the 4pm service on Sunday, they will be taking time to “remember all those who lost their lives to war, commit ourselves to peace, and join together in the formal act of remembrance”. Children will be doing poppy crafts at the kids’ church but will be joining at the end of the act of remembrance.

Dame Monica Wills Chapel, Wills Hall, Stoke Bishop

The service will start at 10.30am on Sunday and will remember the sacrifice of those who have died in the service of their country, especially students and other members of the University of Bristol community.

Great War Memorial at Soldiers' Corner War Memorial, Arnos Vale Cemetery

The ceremony will begin at 10.50am on Saturday November 11 and will include a two-minute silence at 11am sharp. The ceremony will include readings from local organisations, prayers for the fallen read by the Reverend Pete Slee, and wreath laying by representatives of the Armed Forces.

Staple Hill

A parade will be held, and those wishing to take part are asked to form up on Page Road by the car park from 10am. The parade will then travel down High Street, onto Broad Street and into Page Park for the service of remembrance at the War Memorial. Following the service the parade will march back along the route to Page Community Association where the bar will be open for refreshments, allowing veterans and service personnel to come together with the rest of the community.

Church of All Saints, Clifton

There will be a gathering on Sunday at 10.15am outside the church at All Saints’ War Memorial where a list of names of those from the parish who lost their lives in the two World Wars will be read. A wreath will be laid at the War Memorial and there will be a two-minute silence.

St Michael’s Church, Stoke Gifford

A gathering will take place around the war memorial on The Green at 10.25am alongside the Royal British Legion and local Uniformed Groups. A short act of Remembrance will take place, with the laying of wreaths and a two-minute silence.

St Matthew's Church Hall, Kingsdown

The remembrance Sunday service will be held from 10.30am.

Memorial Stadium, Horfield

On Friday (November 10), players and staff of Bristol Bears will join with Bristol Rovers and representatives of numerous local rugby clubs to lay wreaths and to remember local rugby players who died during the two World Wars and in subsequent conflicts. The clubhouse at the stadium will be open from 10am for tea and coffee, and the service itself will commence at around 10.50am. The bar will be open after the service.