Shipston Remembers

Shipston once again turned out in force to remember the fallen during Remembrance weekend.

On Armistice Day, 11th November, Shipston’s town centre fell silent as shoppers and residents observed the two minutes’ silence from 11am. The ceremony was organised by Richard Adams and the British Legion. The Last Post and Reveille was sounded by 10 year old Alec Banner (pictured), a member of Shipston Junior Band and Stour Concert Brass.

Remembrance Sunday was a sight to behold as representatives from many groups joined the Remembrance Parade from the High Street to St Edmund’s Church.

As has been the case every year since the band reformed after the Second World War, members of Shipston Town Band and Stour Concert Brass led the procession. Under the baton of Charlie Cox, the band played the British Legion March. 

The procession was headed by the British Legion and Shipston’s Mayor along with local councillors and included Shipston High School representatives, Scouts, Guides, Cubs, Brownies Beavers and Rainbows plus local firefighters and the St John Ambulance. 

A crowd six deep met the procession at the church and after wreaths were laid the parade moved inside for the service. Principal Cornet Luke Barker played the Last Post and Reveille and the band played Elgar’s Nimrod during the collection. 

After the service the band led the procession back to the square playing the 1914 March comprising a medley of songs from the Great War. 

Town Mayor, Dan Scobie, said: “I was immensely proud to take part in such an impressive show of community spirit and respect for our service men and women. I was honoured to lay a wreath on behalf of the Town Council on Remembrance Sunday and would like to thank all those who took part in the parade, including Richard Adams, the Royal British Legion and Shipston Town Band, for making this event such a proud occasion for the town.”