Despite persistent rain and wind, the people of Penzance came together on Sunday 9 November, braving the elements to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Organised by Penzance Council, the Remembrance Sunday event began with a civic parade through the town led by Lieutenant Commander Simon Stevenson from RNAS Culdrose. Starting at the top of Chapel Street and finishing at the War Memorial at Battery Rocks where a Remembrance Service was held, the parade marched to the beat of drummer Arthur Wright from Penzance Silver Band, who stepped in at the last minute when the band’s usual drummer broke his wrist.
The service was led by the Mayor’s chaplain Revd Derath Durkin, with prayers recited in Cornish by Judith Lawrence.
The Mayor of Penzance, Stephen Reynolds and councillors from Penzance Council were joined for the parade and service by local veterans; representatives from the Royal British Legion Penzance Branch; Penzance Sea Cadets; Penzance Police; Penzance Fire Station Crew; St John Ambulance; 1st Penzance Brownies; Penzance Salvation Army; Humphry Davy School; Mounts Bay Academy; St Mary’s C of E & Madron Daniel Schools; the Penzance-Concarneau Twinning Association; the Penzance-Cuxhaven Twinning Association; the Rotary Club of Penzance with Mounts Bay; and Penzance Lions Club. Penzance Silver Band also attended the service to play whilst the poppy wreaths were laid at the war memorial.
Thanking the large crowd that gathered at the war memorial for braving the elements, Mayor of Penzance Stephen Reynolds continued:
“This is a solemn occasion where we pay tribute to those who have died in past wars, but also one at which we hope for peace for the future. The silence that we observe today marks the guns falling silent in past wars. Let us hope that the guns remain silent for us and future generations.”
Penzance Council would like to thank Penzance Town Crier Phil Northcott, and Humphry Davy School music teacher Matt Street who played The Last Post. Thanks also to everyone who took part in the parade and service and to all the members of the public who attended the service despite the weather.
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 and to those who attended.
See all the pictures from the event in the slider gallery below:
