Armistice City silent in tribute to war dead
BRISTOL fell silent as thousands lined the streets of the city to pay tribute to those who gave their lives for their country.
Thousands of people stood in silence under gin blue skies, with only the sound of the rustling autumn leaves, for the Remembrance Service at the Bristol cenotaph and commemorations to mark 100 years since the end of World War One.
The service was organised by the Lord Mayor’s Office and the Royal British Legion and attended by civic dignitaries including the Lord Mayor, Lady Mayoress, honorary alderman, the Lord Lieutenant and Deputy Lieutenant, the High Sheriff of Bristol and troops.
The day of remembrance started at 6am with a lone piper playing Battle’s O’er outside Bristol Cathedral.
The military parade, led by Royal Marine Reserves Commanding Officer Colonel Clint Read, set off from College Green to make its way to the cenotaph.
Bristol fell silent in their thoughts at 11am for the two-minute silence, which concluded with the sound of a gun.
At the end of the silence the Last Post was played, the Ode to the Fallen recited, a lament played and the Kohima Epitaph given.
Wreaths were then laid by organisations, dignitaries and war veterans from across the city before a number of readings.
Crowds then joined to sing the hymn O God, Our Help in Ages Past, before prayers were said by the Bishop of Clifton.
A blessing of the service was given by the Bishop of Bristol before the reveille and the national anthem.
The parade mustered and made its way back to College Green to applause by the people of Bristol.
» Hundreds of students from academies across Bristol performed a special concert a city church – to promote peace across the world.
More than 200 pupils from across all eight Oasis Academies in Bristol performed a classical music concert at St Mary Redcliffe Church as part of a national day of INSPIRE events.
Penny Rawlings, who leads and manages Bristol Ensemble’s Preludes said: “Our aim is to put classical music at the heart of every child’s education and by doing so improve confidence, co-ordination, speech and language and benefit all other areas of their learning.”