Council marks Remembrance with lights and flags tribute

Tributes have been organised by Harborough District Council to mark the Remembrance commemorations. 

The Square and The Symington Building in Market Harborough is illuminated red to support the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal from 27 October to 12 November 2023.  

Over 100 Union Flags have been installed above Market Harborough shops in and around the High Street and a Union Flag will fly from the flagpole on The Symington Building on Armistice Day 11 November and Remembrance Sunday 12 November. 

Cllr Phil Knowles, Leader of Harborough District Council, said: “These poignant gestures are a small way we can pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces community. By lighting up our building lights and decorating Market Harborough with Union Flags it reminds people of the ultimate sacrifice made by local residents during the World Wars and other more recent conflicts.” 

The Council will also have representation at civic events across the Harborough district to honour all who fought and died in conflict. Details of some are as follows: 

On Armistice Day, 11 November, the Market Harborough Branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL) will be holding a short ceremony and two-minute silence on The Square in Market Harborough at 10.45am. Maroons (loud bangs) will sound to signify the beginning and end of the silence. 

The Square entrance to The Symington Building will be open on November 11 between 10.40-11.15am to enable members of the public, who have relatives or colleagues named, to view the Roll of Honour in the foyer.  

In Market Harborough on Remembrance Sunday, 12 November, a service of Remembrance and parade will take place. The service will take place at St Dionysius Church at 10am. Following the service there will be a parade to the War Memorial on The Square for a two-minute silence and wreath laying ceremony. The Council’s Chairman Cllr Barbara Johnson will attend this ceremony and lay a wreath on behalf of the Council. Cllr Johnson will also attend a ceremony with the RBL at Rosewood Manor at 2.45pm.  

Temporary road closures will be in place throughout the morning. There are three phases planned. Phase 1: The parade will start at Commons car park at 9.15am and make its way to St Dionysius Church for the service. Phase 2: The parade will make its way from the church at 10.40am to The Square for the two-minute silence and laying of wreaths. Phase 3: As a mark of respect, traffic will be held from 10.57am for the two-minute silence.  

There will be a service of Remembrance and parade in Lutterworth on Remembrance Sunday. The parade will commence from the Wycliffe Rooms at 10.30am, marching around the town centre to arrive at the War Memorial Gardens, where an act of Remembrance will commence at 10.45am. The council’s Armed Forces Champion Cllr Jo Asher will attend this ceremony and lay a wreath on behalf of the Council.  

A service of Remembrance and parade will also take place in Broughton Astley on Remembrance Sunday. The parade will lead from Thomas Estley Community College at 10.40am with the service of Remembrance taking place at the War Memorial at 10.55am followed by The Last Post. A two-minute silence will be observed at 11am and laying of wreaths.  

All roads leading to the crossroads at the War Memorial will close at 10.15am to all traffic until the service is concluded. The affected roads are Station Road, Frolesworth Road, Cosby Road and Main Street. All routes will reopen by noon.