Veterans and young people turn out for Remembrance Sunday

The town held a parade and public service in the Central Gardens on Sunday for the first time in two years.

Although some participants noted that the crowds of people watching the parade were smaller than usual, many added that it was the most well-attended parade and service by veterans and young people for a number of years.

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Bournemouth mayor and BCP Council’s representative for the armed forces Councillor David Kelsey, who read the Exhortation during the service, said it was one of the proudest moments of his mayoral tenure.

“I think it went really well today," the former soldier said. "We made some slight changes to the route that we usually use and that was because today is about the veterans.

“It is not really about the rest of us, it is about them, so I wanted the route changed slightly so that they had more profile and I think that worked quite well. It was just awesome to see so many youngsters there from all ages. Young cadets, beavers, cubs, and the rest of them. And they all looked so happy to be taking part and that brought a huge smile to my face to see them.

“I was really, really proud just to be there, just to read the Exhortation and to take the salute as they walked past with the Lord Lieutenant. I feel a very proud man today.”

Hundreds of cadets, beavers, cubs, scouts, brownies and guides joined veterans and their family members for the parade, which started at the Bournemouth Gardens Tennis Centre and moved to the war memorial opposite the town hall.

The Reverend Ian Terry, team rector for Bournemouth town centre, led the service, which also featured readings from Tony Fernand from the Incorporated Bournemouth Free Church Council, David Warden from the Dorset Humanists and Major John Randle, representing The Salvation Army.

The Last Post and Reveille were played by the bugler either side of the two minute’s silence started and ended with a field gun round and respectfully observed by everyone at 11am.

Dozens of wreaths were laid by members of the armed forces, civic party members and various community and civilian organisations in the Bournemouth area.

There were also hundreds of attendees for the return of the parade in Poole Park.

After the Remembrance Sunday service was finished, a smaller service were held at the Phoebe Stone in the Central Garden and observed by navy cadets in remembrance of naval soldiers who served upon HMS Phoebe.

Chief Constable Scott Chilton from Dorset Police said: “It was incredibly humbling, and what was so pleasing on such an important occasion was to see so many young people, so many people from Bournemouth and so many people from different backgrounds come out and pay their respects on something that is so important for us all.

“I think over the last couple of years, things have been really difficult and today was really quite touching, how people turned out in the numbers that they did and pay their respects to those that served for us in the past.

“Seeing some of the older veterans is always emotional for all of us but seeing all the young people and the children volunteering in many, many different ways and being here to do it and feel proud to support their communities is something that is always a little bit eye-watering and touching.”