Veterans, troops, a marching band and uniformed groups are set to take part in Andover’s Remembrance Sunday Parade to honour our servicemen and women, on Sunday 12 November.
The parade is part of a morning of events in which the public can pay their respects to those who served in battle and made the ultimate sacrifice.
It will begin at Bridge Street and move towards Winchester Street, onto Eastern Avenue and end at St Mary’s Church. An indoor service, led by Rev’d Chris Bradish, will be held at 10am in the church before a special service in the Garden of Remembrance at 10:45am.
Wreaths will be laid by the Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire, the Mayor of Test Valley, the President of the Andover Branch of the Royal British Legion, Representatives of the Freeman of the Borough of Test Valley and the North West Hampshire MP.
Posies of poppies will also be laid by local school children.
Following the act of remembrance, dignitaries will travel to Eastern Avenue to salute the return parade.
This will result in some road closures on Sunday morning.
Approximately 9.45 to 10.45am:
- Bridge Street
Approximately 10.15 to 10.45am:
- Western Avenue
- High Street
- London Street
- Winchester Street
- South Street
- Eastern Avenue
- London Road
- East Street
- Savoy Close
- Newbury Street
These closures will be re-enforced from 11.30am until 12pm.
While the road closures are in place, George Yard and Black Swan Yard car parks will not be accessible, and Town Mills will have very limited availability. Alternative parking can be found in the Chantry Centre multistorey, Shepherds Spring Lane and Anton Mill.
On Saturday 11 November, a short service will be held at the Cenotaph at St Mary’s Church to mark Armistice Day, starting at 10:50am.
For more information, a full parade route and the order of services visit www.testvalley.gov.uk/remembrance2023.
Leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Cllr Phil North, said:
“As a town with strong military connections, a Remembrance Sunday parade is always so important and very well attended in Andover. It gives us a chance to pay our respects to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, while also letting us show our appreciation to our current service men and women. I am sure the parade route will be packed like it always is and hope as many residents as possible come out to pay their respects.”
