Crowds gather for Remembrance Sunday commemorations across the New Forest and Christchurch

LOCAL dignitaries and community groups came together across the New Forest and Christchurch to mark Remembrance Sunday.

Commemorations in Lymington got under way with a marching parade which started at 9am – slightly earlier than the usual 9.20am – and a service at St Thomas Church.

A large crowd joined parishioners by the war memorial outside for the two-minute silence at 11am and the wreath-laying ceremony.

There was also a cascade of 2,000 special biodegradable poppies released from the church tower.

The Rev. Rosie Ward led attendees in prayers before the parade marched on to the town hall, where there was a salute to mayor Cllr James Hoare and Royal British Legion Lymington branch president Bill Anderson-Ward.

Hailing a well-attended ceremony, branch secretary Jean Barras emphasized the importance of maintaining the Remembrance tradition.

“We have to remember the people who went out to wars and were killed and maimed,” she said.

“Many came back with post-traumatic stress disorder.

“We have to remember that they still suffer now – both mentally and physically.

“We need to remember all through the year, not just Remembrance Sunday or Armistice Day.”

Jean praised the continuing generous donations to the Poppy Appeal, with about £26,000 raised last year.

She highlighted a recent fundraising 21k walk undertaken by 28 members of the local veterans breakfast club, who laid wreaths at each memorial on the route.

Tribute was also paid to standard bearer John Tuffill-Dean, who carried out his last Remembrance duty before stepping down after about 15 years.

New Milton’s parade from the Crossmead Avenue car park to the war memorial on the recreation ground, off Old Milton Road, was led by the Christchurch Scout Band.

Between 500 and 700 people were believed to have gathered for the two-minute silence and wreath-laying ceremony.

The Last Post and the Reveille were sounded and standards raised, and prayers were led by the Rev. Andrew Bailey, from St Mary Magdalene Church.

Goff Beck, vice chair of the New Milton & District Branch of the Royal British Legion, led the crowd in a round of applause for the Rev. Andrew as he prepares to retire after over 20 years.

The parade then marched to New Milton Memorial Centre, off Whitefield Road, for a service of remembrance.

Emphasising the importance of keeping Remembrance events going in New Milton, Mr Beck praised the support shown by younger residents.

These included children’s groups ranging from the Rainbows to the Scouts, as well as pupils from Ballard and Durlston Court schools who gave presentations during the service.

“It’s so important that these young people pick up the baton and run with it because we don’t want this ever to fade out in this town,” Mr Beck said.

Mr Beck was also delighted by an influx of volunteer fund collectors following a recent A&T report on fears the Poppy Appeal could soon fold amid lack of support.

That afternoon, around 30-40 people gathered for a wreath-laying ceremony at the Indian War Memorial in Marine Drive, Barton.

This saw the Indian flag being flown for the first time from a newly installed flagpole by the obelisk commemorating the convalescent depot for wounded Indian troops.

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