THIS weekend will see the return of Remembrance Sunday services across Dorset to honour servicemen and women who gave their lives in the two world wars and later conflicts.

Last year’s acts of remembrance were either held virtually or cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

However, this year parades, Last Posts and minutes’ silences will be observed at services held throughout the county for the first time in two years.

This year’s ceremonies will have an added prominence to them as it coincides with the centenary year of the Royal British Legion.

Bournemouth

Bournemouth mayor Cllr David Kelsey will lead the service planned for Bournemouth at the War Memorial opposite the town hall in Bournemouth Central Gardens.

The ceremony will commence at 10.55am with the last post played at 11am and wreaths to be laid by representatives of the armed forces.

Christchurch

There will be two Remembrance Sunday services in Christchurch. The first will be as the Purewell Cross Memorial at 9.15am, which will be followed by a larger service at the Priory Church.

The wreath laying will begin at 10.15am with the service held from 10.50am.

Poole

Poole Park is to host the town’s public Remembrance Sunday service once again this year, which will begin at 10.50am.

Ferndown

The Ferndown Remembrance Day Service at St Mary's Church will be held at 3pm.

However, the town council has announced that the church will limit its capacity to “prevent the transmission” of the coronavirus.

The service will be transmitted outside the church for people to listen to or for those who would feel safer listening to it in the open air, and will also be live streamed via St Mary’s Church Facebook page or YouTube channel.

Broadstone

The Remembrance Parade returns to Broadstone high street at 10.40am on Sunday, followed by two services at Broadstone Memorial Hall and St John’s Church starting at 10.55am and 11.30am respectively.

In Swanage, the Armistice Day commemoration will take place at the War Memorial at 11am on Thursday, November 11.

The town’s Remembrance Day Service will then be held at St Mary’s Parish Church on Sunday at 2.30pm.

Wimborne

Remembrance Sunday in Wimborne Minster will be commemorated this year with a service in The Minster at 3pm on Sunday.

Due to restrictions, limited numbers of only 120 will be allowed to attend the service in The Minster with places being allocated by ‘invitation only’.

However, 50 seats have been reserved by the town council should any residents wish to attend the service.

Those who are interested are asked to add their name to the list which is displayed on the noticeboard in The Minster.

The town’s usual Remembrance Parade has been shelved and the traditional wreath laying that takes place immediately after the service will be limited to a set number of wreaths being laid.

Dorchester

On Armistice Day, there will be socially distanced service take place at 10.45am on Thursday at County Hall in Dorchester which will be live streamed on the Dorset Council Facebook page.