Liverpool City Council’s Annual Remembrance Service will take place on:- Sunday, 12 November 2023, on St George’s Hall Plateau

THOUSANDS of people are expected to gather on Lime Street for the service, which has the theme:- 'Liverpool Remembers' and involves faith and community leaders, together with the Armed Forces and war veterans. The Band of The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment and The Pipes and Drums of The Liverpool Scottish Regimental Association will play from:- 10.40am, in the run up to the start of the service. There will be readings and prayers from The Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Revd Dr John Perumbalath, and The Archbishop of Liverpool, The Most Reverend Malcolm McMahon.

Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Cllr Mary Rasmussen, said:- “Our annual Remembrance Sunday service is a poignant event that gives the whole city the opportunity to come together and pay tribute to those who have served to protect and uphold the freedom we have today. This year, we wanted the service to also reflect the important and vital contribution that women make to the Armed Forces, in keeping our nation safe. The sacrifices made by those, past and present, who serve and have served, must never be forgotten."

This year's guest speaker is Tracy Dunn Bridgeman, who lost her son, Kingsman Jason Dunn Bridgeman, in the war in Afghanistan, in 2009. He died while serving with the 2nd Battalion of The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment when his platoon became locked in an exchange of fire with the enemy during a foot patrol in the Babaji district of Helmand province. Tracy was later presented with Merseyside's first Elizabeth Cross in honour of her son's bravery.

During the ceremony, Deb Mills Burns, a military veteran and author, who is part of the:- 'Stand by Her' programme, delivered by Everton in the Community, will read a poignant poem she has written, titled:- 'My Liverpool Home.' Launched in May 2023 by the official charity of Everton Football Club, Stand by Her has been designed specifically to support female veterans and provides participants with the opportunity to reconnect socially and helps to improve their physical health through sport and holistic methods as well as offering signposting and access to mental, physical and social health services.

Deb Mills-Burns, from the:- 'Stand by Her' programme, said:- "I'm immensely proud to be here today as a representation of all ex-servicewomen. To serve was an honour, but to serve amongst other strong and inspirational women was empowering. As a member of the Stand By Her programme at Everton in the Community, I have been able to reconnect and resurrect the strengths and confidence to stand in front of you all here today."

Father Taras Khomych representing the Ukrainian Catholic Church will lay a wreath to UK and Commonwealth personnel who lost their lives in two World Wars and conflicts since.

At 11am the traditional firing of the gun will signify the start of the two-minute silence, with another firing to mark its conclusion.

Following the silence, the traditional wreath laying and service by key civic, military and religious leaders and Cadets, the parade will then march from St George's Plateau to salute the Cenotaph.

The Port of Liverpool, the Cunard and Royal Liver Buildings, along with Liverpool Parish Church, St George's Hall and Liverpool Town Hall, will be lit up red from:- Friday, 10 November 2023 to Sunday, 12 November 2023, to mark the Remembrance weekend.

The Hall of Remembrance at Liverpool Town Hall will be open to the public on:- Sunday, 12 November 2023, between:- 12:00noon and 4:00pm.

The following closures that will take place on:- Sunday, 12 November 2023, are as follows:-

• William Brown Street from Byrom Street:- 7am to 1pm.
   

• London Road between Seymour Street and Lime Street:- 9:30am to 1pm.
   

• Commutation Row between Islington and Lime Street:- 9:30am to 1pm.
   

• Islington between Fraser Street and Commutation Row:- 9:30am to 1pm.
   

• Lime Street between London Road and Copperas Hill:- 9:30am to 1pm.
   

• St John's Lane and St. George's Place between Old Haymarket and Lime Street:- 9.30am to 1pm.
   

• Skelhorne Street between Bolton Street and Lime Street:– 9:30am to 1pm.
   

• Queens Square Bus Station will be closedm from:- 9:30am to 1pm.
   

• Access for the Holiday Inn Hotel and St John's car park will be facilitated from Elliot Street / Lime Street junction.

All closures will be signed and stewarded and will remain in force only for as long as is necessary.

Due to the closure of Lime Street, the football bus services for the:- Liverpool FC v Brentford FC match, at Anfield (kick off at:- 2.30pm) will operate from:- Monument Place, Liverpool.