On Sunday 14 November, a Remembrance Sunday Service will take place at the Cenotaph in Princess Gardens, Torquay.

Starting at 11am, the service is a commemoration and celebration of servicemen and servicewomen who lost their lives in the line of duty. It is also an opportunity to show appreciation for those who have and continue to serve in our Armed Forces.

The service will start at 11am with a traditional two minutes’ silence. Members of the community are invited to attend the service and pay their respects but are encouraged to wear a face covering and take a lateral flow test prior to attending.

To ensure the event can be safe and secure, we have been working closely with the Police and will be implementing a number of road closures and parking restrictions before, during and after the service.

A parking suspension on Torbay Road will be in place in both directions from 1am on Sunday 14 November through to 2pm on Sunday afternoon.

Torbay Road will be closed between the Belgrave Road / Abbey Crescent junctions to Torquay Pavilion between 9am and 2pm. Diversion routes will be in place during these times.

Pedestrian access will be permitted through the closure times with drop off points for disabled and elderly attendees at Torquay Pavilion via the diversion routes. 

Parking will be available at the nearby Lower Union Lane, Sheddon Hill, Fleet Walk and The Terrace car parks, normal fees apply.

On the morning of Thursday 11 November, Cllr Terry Manning, The Worshipful The Mayor of Torbay, Cllr Mandy Darling, Deputy Mayor of Torbay, Leader of Torbay Council, Cllr Steve Darling, Kevin Foster MP and Gerard Sarsfield, Paignton Branch Chairman of the Royal British Legion will be placing wreaths on an early morning GWR ‘Poppies to Paddington’ service. The wreaths will be carefully transported and placed at the War Memorial on Platform 1, creating a display of Remembrance.

Torbay Council staff will be observing a two minutes’ silence at 11am on Thursday 11 November outside of Torquay Town Hall. The tribute which begins with the lowering of the flag will be led by Cllr Terry Manning, The Worshipful The Mayor of Torbay and Cllr Steve Darling, Leader of the Council.

As a further mark of commemoration, the festoon lighting along Torquay and Paignton seafront will be displaying the colours red, white and blue from Thursday 11 November through to Sunday 14 November.  

Cllr Steve Darling, Leader of Torbay Council said; “After being unable to commemorate Remembrance Sunday in the usual way in November 2020, we welcome the opportunity to show our respect for our Armed Forces in person this year. It is our chance to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the country in both of the World Wars and in more recent times.”

Cllr Nicole Amil, Torbay’s Armed Forces Champion, said; “Our Armed Forces have made immense sacrifices, so it’s essential that we take every opportunity to recognise what they did for the freedom we take for granted. While not everyone will be able to attend in person again this year, I would still encourage you to buy a poppy to support the Royal British Legion and to spend two minutes at 11am to show your respect.”

Commemoration services will also be happening in Paignton and Brixham on Sunday 14 November.

The Brixham service will be held at 11am at the War Memorial, Berry Head Road. Further details are available via the Brixham Town Council website.

In Paignton a wreath laying service will take place at 3pm in the Palace Avenue Gardens.

Those wishing to attend local Remembrance events are advised to do safely. This means taking a lateral flow test prior to attending. If your test is positive, you feel unwell or develop COVID-19 symptoms please self-isolate immediately and arrange to have a PCR test – even if your symptoms are mild.

Information on national Remembrance events, including how to commemorate at home can be found on the Royal British Legion website.