Acts of Remembrance began early in Penzance on Armistice Day, Tuesday 11 November, when the Mayor of Penzance joined representatives of Armed Forces charities to lay wreaths on the 5.03am GWR ‘Poppies to Paddington’ train as part of Routes of Remembrance 2025.
Organised by The Veterans Charity, Routes of Remembrance 2025 saw hundreds of wreaths travel across the country before converging on London and other major cities for special remembrance services.
Joined by others at stations along the route, the wreaths laid on the ‘Poppies to Paddington’ train in Penzance made their way to the iconic Paddington Station War Memorial in time for 11am.
Cllr Stephen Reynolds, Mayor of Penzance, said:
“It’s always an honour to take part in this wonderful initiative, and once again I would like to thank The Veterans Charity and the railway staff at GWR for bringing together all the communities on one of the world’s most famous railway lines in this symbolic act of remembrance.”
Poppies to Paddington was created at the height of the Covid pandemic in conjunction with Great Western Railway, as elderly veterans were distressed they could not take part in Remembrance events due to Covid restrictions. The initiative was so successful that The Veterans Charity expanded it in 2021 to become Routes of Remembrance, involving rail, ferry and air operators across the UK in transporting wreaths, many of which ended up in London on November 11.
Remembrance Sunday Services were also held in Newlyn, Mousehole, Paul, Heamoor and Gulval to remember the service and sacrifice of all those from the parish. Penzance Council would like to thank everyone who was involved in organising these events, as well as those who attended.
