Over 200 attend Annual Memorial Service
More than 200 people attended the Annual Service of Remembrance at Bristol Memorial Woodlands with representatives from the armed services, emergency services, schools and veteran organisations laying wreaths.
Padre Major Andy Latifa conducted the service in the on-site chapel at the woodlands, near Alveston, with more than 50 people packed into an overflow marquee where the service was relayed by speakers.
David Rae, Managing Director of Bristol Memorial Woodlands, opened the service which also saw Lord Lieutenant of Bristol, Mrs Peaches Golding, present a Bible reading.
Following the service standard bearers from the Royal British Legion and other veteran groups led those attending on a parade to the war memorial within the woodlands where wreaths were laid.
The act of remembrance at the stone included the Last Post and two-minute silence and the Reveile played by a Ghurka bugler.
Among those attending was Dame Janet Trotter, former Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire who represented the Gloucestershire Lieutenancy. Both she and Peaches Golding laid wreaths at the commemoration stone, as did many service branch and veteran charity representatives.
David Rae said: “It was fantastic to see such an amazing attendance this year – more than ever before. A short, sharp storm just before the event cleared perfectly for the outdoor elements. It was good to see so many veterans with their medals, mixing with those currently in uniform and representatives of the local community including police, fire brigade, ambulance service and schools.”
The annual event was started by Memorial Woodlands founder Chris Baker to honour and commemorate those service men and women who have fallen in the new millennium but has since been adopted by veterans of the many conflicts since the Second World War.
