Sittingbourne Remembers

Tree Sentinels lined The Avenue Of Remembrance for Remembrance Sunday yesterday (Sunday 12th November) to mark it's 100 years at the heart of Sittingbourne.

This year's Service Of Remembrance was organised through the Sittingbourne Remembrance Sunday Event Organising Group made up of local individuals, groups and businesses and co-ordinated by Richard and Theresa Emmett of The Historical Research Group Of Sittingbourne (HRGS).

Mr Paul Auston, Swale's Deputy Lieutenant of Kent and the Mayor of Swale attended a service at St Michael's with Rev David Ridley which finished at 10:30am with the main congregation joining the Parade which marched along the High Street, up Bell Road, and via the Avenue of Remembrance to the War Memorial in Central Avenue. They were then followed by standard barriers, veterans, cadets, scouts and guiders, joined by public and tree sentinels along the route. Mayor, Cllr Sarah Stephen was on board an historic military vehicle which took her to the War Memorial in Central Avenue.

At 11:00am Minister Pat Tatchell started the service at War Memorial with The Last Post being played by the Salvation Army. The Doves of Peace were released after the 2 mins silence and Pat Tatchell invited the main 5 VIP wreath layers up to The War Memorial followed by the poem read by Richard Emmett. The Salvation Army played directly after the poem, whilst all other wreaths were laid. At 11:35am the 5  VIPs took the salute on the west side footpath by the Memorial,

At 11:40am The Parade (of Veterans, cadets, scouts, and guiders) marched north along Central Avenue towards the High Street, halted outside the Nat West bank and about turned to face south giving eyes ‘right’ to The War Memorial before marching on to Appleyard for dismissal and refreshments. The Deputy Lieutenant took the salute during the march past.

It was a very special occasion and was well received by all that attended and marked Remembrance Sunday and this year's 100th Centenary of The Avenue Of Remembrance, the only tree-lined memorial in the UK that is still a public highway.