Ayrshire gets ready to remember the fallen
A century on from the end of the WW1 hostilities
That this year’s Remembrance falls on the Sunday itself brings extra focus to events.
That it will be exactly a century since arms down on November 11, 1918, makes it even more significant.
Ayr Beach has also been chosen of one of six Scottish strands where a soldier will be carved into the sand as part of Danny Boyle’s ‘ Pages of the Sea’ memorial. It will be there for one tide only.
The morning service at the Auld Kirk of Ayr starts at 9.30am and is attended by the Lord Lieutenant of Ayrshire, provost Helen Moonie, MPs, MSPs, representatives of the armed forces, Ayrshire Yeomanry, B Coy 52 Lowland 6 Scots, military cadets, police and fire services, Royal British Legion and uniformed youth organisations. During this year’s centenary service, a stunning poppy banner will be on display in the Auld Kirk, comprising more than 4,100 poppies that have been knitted, crocheted or hand- made here.
Following the service, the Provost will lead the procession via High Street, New Bridge Street and Sandgate to the War Memorial at Wellington Square where, during a short service led by the Minister of Ayr, wreaths of red poppies are laid, followed by a Two Minute Silence, the sounding of the Last Post and Reveille and the National Anthem.
Major remembrance ceremonies also take place at the War Memorials in Girvan, Maybole, Troon, and Prestwick.
In East Ay r s h i re, Cumnock is the centre of attention with other main events at Auchinleck, Dalmellington, Mauchline, Muirkirk, New Cumnock and Patna.
Smaller ceremonies at the villages will be attended by local councillors. Main Timetable
Ayr: Wellington Square, Ayr at 10.45am.
Troon: The Esplanade, South Beach at 10.45am.
Prestwick: The Cross, at 12.30pm.
Maybole: 10am service at Maybole Town Hall then parade to War Memorial at 11am for wreath- laying.
Girvan: Cenotaph, Stair Park, 10am followed by parade to North Parish Church and on to the Garden of Remembrance.
Auchinleck: 10.45am wreach laying at church
Cumnock: 2pm parade from Cumnock Old, 2.20pm Provost lays wreath war memorial, Glaisnock Street Cemetery. For this year only an open air Service in the Square 6.15pm.
Dalmellington: Parade from Scout Hall to parish church, wreath laying after service at War Memorial on Carsphairn Road.
Mauchline: Parade 10.30am from Cowgate to War Memorial for 11am two minute silence
Muirkirk: 11.30am wreath laying at war memorial, followed by service at parish church
New Cumnock: Parade leaves Miller Road 10.30am for 10.50am church service. Wreath laying church at 12.15pm, 12.30pm Afton Cemetery and 12.45 at Bank War Memorial.