TOWNS and villages across Dorset will fall silent on Sunday to pay their respects to members of the Armed Forces who lost their lives fighting for their country.

This year’s Remembrance Sunday events are particularly poignant as it marks 100 years to the day since the end of the First World War.

Various initiatives and projects have already taken place across the county leading up to services and parades on Sunday.

Mayor of Bournemouth Derek Borthwick said: “I look forward to attending the Bournemouth ceremonies, but will be attending the service with a sadden heart in memory of all those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of their country - not only in World War One but in all conflicts where this country has been called to defend its nation’s soil and human rights.”

Details on the Armistice Day ceremonies from across the region are as follows.

Bournemouth

A Remembrance Day service, with several faith leaders, will be held at the war memorial in the Central Gardens at 10.57am.

This will take place after the parade through the town centre, which is due to involve scores of ex-servicemen and young cadets.

There will be an evening commemoration from 6.40pm outside the Town Hall with cascading poppies projected onto the Town Hall. A trumpet will sound the Last Post followed by Reveille. It will conclude with the lighting of a peace beacon at 7pm and ringing of church bells from St Peter’s Church.

Christchurch

Participants in the parade will meet at Royal British Legion in Bargates, leaving for the Priory at 9.50am. A service will follow from 10.50am, led by Rev Charles Stewart.

Poole

The parade will set off from the cricket pavilion at 10.30am to the war memorial for the service to start at 10.50am.

Following the service, the parade will reform and march back to the cricket pavilion where it will be dismissed.

Then at 7pm in Baiter Park, a Beacon of Light will be lit at 7pm. 

East Dorset

In Wimborne, Armistice Day will be commemorated by the normal Sunday morning service, followed by a two-minute silence at 11am at the war memorial on the Minster Green.

The Wimborne Minster Town & Wimborne Royal British Legion 2018 Remembrance Day Service will be held in the Minster Church at 3pm on the same day.
 
Individuals and organisations wishing to Parade to the Service will gather at the Royal British Legion Car Park at 2.20pm ready for the Parade to march off at 2.40pm led by The Wessex Marching Band.

After the Service the congregation will gather at the War memorial on Minster Green.  

Residents will gather for a service at St Michael’s Church in Verwood at 9.45am, before marching to Ferrett Green for a silence and wreath laying.

The parade in Ferndown leads out from the Royal British Legion at 2.30pm, with a service starting in St Mary’s Church at 3pm.

Purbeck

In Swanage, a two-minute silence will be held at the war memorial at 11am. This will be followed by the Remembrance Parade, which sets off from Shore Road at 2pm. A church service at St Mary’s Swanage led by team rector Rev John Mann will commence at 2.30pm.

Residents in Sandford and Wareham will come together at the old Royal British Legion in Keysworth Drive from 10.30am, with the parade setting off at 10.45am to the war memorials at Sandford Primary School. An outdoor ceremony will follow.

North Dorset

Blandford hosts a Remembrance Sunday parade and church service in the afternoon from 2.45pm in the Market Place.