HEXHAM Town Council is finalising its plans for this year’s events to mark Remembrance Sunday.
For the first time, there will be a peace walk as well as the centrepiece service at the town’s cenotaph.
Arrangements for the events are overseen by a dedicated sub-committee, chaired by Cllr Lee Williscroft-Ferris and including other councillors, as well as members of the public.
Last year saw a large number of groups represented at the event, with residents turning out in their thousands to see wreaths laid in memory of the fallen and an address by Mayor of Hexham Derek Kennedy.
There will once again be a full programme of events this year over the weekend of November 12 and 13.
Poppies will be laid on the graves of servicemen and women buried at Hexham Cemetery and there will be a wreath-laying ceremony at Hexham General Hospital on Saturday.
There will be a peace walk, coordinated with Hexham’s twin towns of Noyon and Metzingen, giving people a further opportunity to respect the memory of those who have lost their lives in war.
Organised with Hexham Town Twinning Committee and Churches Together in Hexham, the town council said the purpose of the peace walk event is "to demonstrate that we are united with people in our twin towns as well as with the local Ukrainian community in showing our desire and support for peace as well as remembering all those caught up in conflict around the world".
The walk will start at 2pm in the Sele and last for about 90 minutes, taking in three or four significant places in Hexham. There will be short readings or musical presentations at these places and then an opportunity for walkers to join the end of the annual peace vigil at St Mary’s Catholic Church.
Remembrance Sunday will see the traditional parade, this year departing from the Market Place at 10.40am, to the cenotaph.
Represented will be serving members of the armed forces, veterans, religious groups and community organisations.
Cllr Kennedy will address those gathered and wreaths will be laid by representatives of groups present. For the first time, Cllr Kennedy will also pay specific respect to those with local links who have died while serving their country.
Cllr Williscroft-Ferris said: “This year’s remembrance events build on the immense success of last year. Once again, our objective is to make these events as inclusive as possible, so that all residents are able to pay their respects to the fallen.
"As we once again face war on our continent, it is entirely understandable that many will also want to take part in the peace walk, making a public statement about the need for the peace that our forebears fought and died for.
"I am immensely grateful to the work of the sub-committee on this year’s events, which are rightly held in such high regard by the community."
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