Fleet Poppy Day Parade is Back

FOR the first time in almost a decade there is to be a parade through Fleet town centre on Remembrance Sunday (November 8).

In the year during which Britain’s last First World War veterans died and when servicemen continued to give their lives in Afghanistan and elsewhere the town’s Royal British

Legion branch decided to bring back the parade so that more local people and groups could take part.

The Remembrance Service is at All Saints Church at 2.30pm with seats reserved for representatives of all civic institutions and community bodies.

The parade will form up in Church Road car park at 3pm. This will leave at about 3.30pm and parade down Church Road, Fleet Road and into the Gurkha Square car park. The parade will be led by the Royal British Legion band from Farnborough and a collection will be made.

At the war memorial The Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, the Earl of Malmesbury, Hart Chairman, Cllr Sharyn Wheale and local MP James Arbuthnot will be among those laying wreaths.

Afterwards the marchers have been invited to have tea and coffee in the nearby Prince Arthur –this will be available at a reduced price with proceeds going to the Poppy Appeal.

Fleet RBL spokesman David Millen said the branch would be delighted if former Service personnel were able to join in the parade and wear their decorations. All those taking part were welcome to wear uniform, badges office and any awards to which they were entitled.

He added: “This is Fleet’s opportunity to remember and thank those who have given so much to that we might be free to enjoy our rich and varied lives.”

Cllr Wheale said: “I am delighted that we are once again holding a parade that includes young people. The younger generation must not forget what Remembrance Day is all about.”

Yateley

The Yateley Remembrance Sunday service is at St Swithins Roman Catholic church at 2pm followed by a march to the cenotaph.

Cllr David Simpson, who organises the Yateley and Hawley Poppy Day, said the Yateley parade was one of the biggest in the area and featured many local organisations.

“We are always impressed and pleased by the amount of time given by the people who help and by the increasing amount of money donated by people even in times of hardship,” he said.