List of Remembrance Day events in Derby and Derbyshire 2023

Remembrance Sunday is not far away and we are putting together a list of ceremonies taking place in and around Derby and Derbyshire. The events are held to honour the men and women of the Armed Forces who lost their lives in conflicts and started shortly after the First World War ^[1].

Observed on the second Sunday in November, Remembrance Sunday is put aside to respect the fallen soldiers in wars past and present. This year, Remembrance Sunday ^[2] falls on November 12 – almost as late as it can be.

Armistice Day, which marks the end of the First World War, falls on November 11 each year and this year will be the day before Remembrance Sunday. Armistice Day is also marked by a series of events, including two minutes’ silence at 11am for fallen soldiers.

The Royal British Legion plays a major part in ensuring that the memory of those who have died in conflict is kept alive, especially through the Poppy Appeal each year, which was officially launched on Thursday, October 26 this year.

If you are organising a Remembrance Sunday event please let us know by emailing [email protected] so we can add it to our list.

Alfreton

The parade leaves Alfreton House at 10.45am on Remembrance Sunday for a service at the cenotaph at 11am, followed by a church service and refreshments at St Martin’s. Parts of High Street, King Street and Chesterfield Hill will be closed to allow for the parade and memorial at the cenotaph, between 10am and 1pm.

Ashbourne

Ashbourne remembers those lost and fallen in war with one of the largest parades in Derbyshire. The procession participants gather in the Market Place outside the ex-servicemen’s club at around 10am. There will be veterans, serving military, cadets, councillors, fire service personnel, cubs, scout, guides and so forth plus the town band.

At around 10.20am, the roads close and the parade, headed by the band, makes its way along St John Street and Church Street to St Oswald’s for a service at around 10.45am. At 11.25am, the roads close again and the parade reforms and makes its way to the war memorial where wreaths are laid, the last post is played and there is a short speech.

Finally, around 12 noon, the parade reforms again and makes its way back to the Market Place.

A rolling road closure with roads closing and reopening depending on where the parade is will be in operation – so expect long delays.

Bakewell

In Bakewell, participants are asked to assemble on Market Street, outside the Queen’s pub at 10.30am on Remembrance Sunday. The parade forms up behind Bakewell Silver Band and at 10.50am marches, with standards flying, to The Square. The parade forms up around the First World War memorial.

After the two minutes silence, the Parade Marshal hands the parade to the Master of Ceremony for the laying of the wreaths. A short service follows, then the parade marches up South Church Street to Bakewell Parish Church for the Service of Remembrance. The names of all the towns fallen are read out by members of Bakewell Youth Theatre.

Images are projected onto the big screen whilst Bakewell Band play. Refreshments are provided in The Newark area afterwards.

On Saturday, November 11 at 11am, at Bath Gardens Second World War memorial area, the Last Post will be sounded followed by two minutes silence and short service. Afterwards, the group will move to Bakewell Memorial Cottage Nursing Home for wreath laying and Last Post.

This will be followed by marking of the war graves in Bakewell Cemetery, Yeld Rd, Small crosses will by placed on each of the 13 graves.

Belper

Meeting in the Memorial Gardens, King Street, from 10.30am, the Remembrance Sunday Service and parade will begin with a two minute silence at 11am, led by Reverend Ann Stratton. Laying of the wreaths will follow, then the parade to St Peter’s Church, for the church service, which begins at 11.45am.

After the service, at 12.30pm, the parade will return past the Memorial Gardens and along King Street. Road closures will be in place from 10am-1pm for the top of King Street. Green Lane, Church Lane and Chesterfield Road will be closed in part, during the parade only

On Saturday, November 11, Derwent Brass will commemorate and honour all those who have lost their lives in conflict at a concert in St Peter’s Church, Church Lane from 7.30pm, tickets £8. The annual concert features a perfect blend of music for entertainment as well as reflection with all proceeds from the event donated to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.

Bolsover

Bolsover’s Remembrance Sunday Parade will leave the castle entrance at 10:30am, participants are asked to arrive at the Castle for the formation of parade at 10.15am.

In keeping with tradition, the parade will leave the castle moving along High Street and Cotton Street, arriving at the Cenotaph at 10.55am for the service. The Parade Marshal will lead the event, inviting those laying wreaths to step forward at the appropriate time.

Remembrance Sunday is an important event to both the town and all the participants in attendance, providing an opportunity to remember the service and sacrifice of all those that have defended our freedoms and protected our way of life.

There will also be a small act of Remembrance on 11.00am on Saturday, November 11 at the Cenotaph.

Derby

The city’s Annual Remembrance Sunday Service and Parade will take place with troops from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers 148 Divisional Support Company, as well as members of local veteran and youth organisations, parading through the city centre.

A short service, led by The Very Revd Dr Peter Robinson, Dean of Derby, is scheduled for 11am, during which a two-minute silence will be observed. Following this, wreaths will be laid at the War Memorial in the Market Place.

Members of the public are invited to observe the proceedings, which will begin at 10.55am, and pay their respects. There will be dedicated public viewing areas on the Market Place and people can watch the proceedings on a large screen. People who are unable to travel into the city centre can watch the parade and service live on the Council’s YouTube channel.

To protect members of the public and parade participants, there will be road closures on Remembrance Sunday from 8am until 1pm:

Sowter Road from its junction with St Michaels Lane.
The junction of Queen Street and Full Street.
Derwent Street.
Corporation Street and Tenant Street.
St James Street, Corn Market and Iron Gate (from its junction with Sadler Gate).

Several parking restrictions will also be in place:

The Assembly Rooms car park will be closed from 7pm on Saturday, November 11 until 2pm on Sunday, November 12.
Amen Alley car park will be closed from 7pm on Saturday, November 11 until 1pm on Sunday, November 12.
The Council House car park will be closed to members of the public from 7.30 am until 2pm on Sunday, November 12.
On-street parking will be suspended on Full Street, Corporation Street and Tenant Street from 7pm on Saturday, November 11 to 1pm on Sunday, November 12 .
The on-street parking bays on Derwent Street will be reserved for Blue Badge parking on Sunday, November 12.

Organisations who want to take part in the parade or lay a wreath must contact Councillor and Civic Support Services by email, [email protected]^[3] by 5pm on Friday, November 3. Wreaths can be sourced directly from the Royal British Legion.

On Armistice Day (Saturday, November 11), people will have a chance to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in service at 11am at the War Memorial in the Market Place.

Hathersage

The Remembrance parade, which will involve rolling road closures, will leave the War Memorial Hall at 10am following the route down Station Road, up Main Road, and arriving at the church at about 10.20am. The service will take place in St Michael and all Angels from 10.30am and seats need to be pre-booked on 01433 650388.

There will be similar road closures for the return march from about 11.35am to 12 noon. During the march-past, both up to the church and returning after the service, Hathersage Band will be playing in the village centre area.

A short wreath laying ceremony and two minutes silence will take place at the village centre On November 11 at 11am.

Matlock

Matlock Town Council organises the Remembrance services in Matlock, in conjunction with the Royal British Legion. This year the following services will take place on Remembrance Sunday:

11am at Pic Tor War Memorial

11.30am at Starkholmes War Memorial

3pm at Park Head, Hall Leys Park. This is the main service for the town and is proceeded by a parade through Matlock, beginning at 2.45pm.

On Saturday, November 11, a short service is held at 11am at Park Head and members of the public are welcome to attend.

National Memorial Arboretum

A Remembrance Sunday service will take place in the grounds of the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas, near Burton, on November 12.

The service is free to attend, and will take place at the base of the Armed Forces Memorial, however people are strongly recommended to book their visit in advance ^[4] if they wish to visit the Arboretum on Remembrance Sunday due to an anticipated large number of visitors.

It is suggested booking the 8am or 9am arrival slot if people want to be in time for the Remembrance Sunday service. The Armed Forces Memorial will be close after the service concludes.

On Saturday, November 11, a service will also be held at the Armed Forces Memorial but demand has led to tickets already being sold out.

Visitors without tickets will be able to view the service on screens in Heroes’ Square at the Arboretum. Parking tickets are now available and can be booked online by clicking here ^[5]

Ripley

The Remembrance Sunday Parade will start in the Co-op car park on Derby Road at 10.35am and make its way to All Saints’ Church on Church Street in Ripley for a service in the churchyard, led by Rev John Wigram. This service will incorporate the two-minute silence and wreath laying at the memorial.

After the service, the parade will leave the churchyard and congregate on Moseley Street to make its way back through town – down Church Street, up Grosvenor Road, along Market Place around the back of the town hall and onto Ripley Market Place – for the official dismissal.

Swadlincote

The Remembrance Sunday Parade will start at The Delph, Swadlincote and culminate in an outdoor service and wreath laying at the War Memorial Gates at Eureka Park. If you wish to join the parade only, people are advised to arrive at the Delph by 10.25am. If you prefer to go straight to the War Memorial Gates at Eureka Park, please arrive by 10.45am.

On the Sunday there will also be a service at Hill Street Baptist Church, Hill Street, Swadlincote, commencing at 9.30am. There will also be an evening service at 4pm at Emmanuel Church, Church Street, Swadlincote.

There will be a short Service of Remembrance on Armistice Day from 10.50am to 11.15am on Saturday, November 11 on the Delph, outside Swadlincote Town Hall.

Staveley

The town council will hold its annual Remembrance parade and service in Staveley on Remembrance Sunday. The parade will leave Staveley Market Place at 10.45am and head for the Garden of Remembrance, where the service will take place come rain or shine at 11am.

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References

^{^} First World War (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)
^{^} Remembrance Sunday (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)
^{^} [email protected] (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)
^{^} book their visit in advance (www.maximcloud.co.uk)
^{^} clicking here (www.maximcloud.co.uk)
^{^} the main Derbyshire Live newsletter here (www.derbytelegraph.co.uk)