The Mayor of Shaftesbury invites residents to wear family war medals for Remembrance Sunday Parade
Shaftesbury’s Mayor, Cllr Virginia Edwyn-Jones, is inviting residents to take part in this year’s Remembrance Sunday by wearing their families’ war medals with pride. The parade will take place on Sunday 9th November, marking the 80th anniversary of the first Remembrance Sunday, held to honour all those who lost their lives in the two World Wars.
Cllr Edwyn-Jones emphasised the importance of community participation and supporting the Royal British Legion, saying:
“It is really important to support our Royal British Legion (RBL) and all those who contribute to this incredibly important event, as it is true to acknowledge that many of those who are so central to this event may no longer be with us at the 90th anniversary.”
Reflecting on last May’s commemoration of the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, the Mayor shared a personal discovery that inspired her appeal this year.
“I mentioned to our RBL President that I wished I could have worn my father’s war medals that day but because I had never been in the armed forces, I couldn’t. Imagine my surprise when he said that of course I could, I just needed to wear them on my right lapel, not my left!”
Cllr Edwyn-Jones believes that many residents may not be aware of this tradition. She hopes the town will come together to show their respect and gratitude by wearing family medals, particularly encouraging younger generations to honour their grandparents and great-grandparents in this way.
“I would like the whole town to join in, and for our young people to wear their grandparents’ and great-grandparents’ medals to really show their pride and deep gratitude for all those who gave their lives in the great wars and the conflicts since then”.
Remembrance Sunday Parade
The annual Shaftesbury Remembrance Parade will take place on the morning of Sunday 9th November 2025. The ceremony will be held at Park Walk followed by a Remembrance service St Peter’s Church.
- 10:47 am – Parade marches off to the War Memorial (via Bleke Street and Bimport)
- 10:53–11:05 am – Ceremony at Park Walk War Memorial
- 11:00 am – Two minutes’ silence
- 11:05 am – Parade reforms in Abbey Walk
- 11:08 am – Parade marches to St Peter’s Church
- 11:15 am – Remembrance Service at St Peter’s Church
Residents are warmly encouraged to attend, wear their medals with pride, and join Shaftesbury in remembering and honouring those who served and sacrificed for future generations.
