Lest we forget: Thousands turn out for Remembrance

Haywards Heath mayor, Sujan Wickremaratchi laying a poppy wreath. Picture: Marcus Ward from Ward Pics

Burgess Hill Town Council and the Burgess Hill branch of The Royal British Legion (RBL) jointly commemorated the Remembrance services on both Friday and Sunday in St John’s Church, in Lower Church Road, Burgess Hill.

On Sunday, the traditional march to the war memorial commenced at 10.25am from Cyprus Road Car Park and the laying of poppy wreaths took place. The ceremony was then held in St John’s Church.

The town’s mayor, Jacqui Landriani said the Remembrance commemorations in Burgess Hill are ‘important to the local community’.

The Remembrance Sunday service in Haywards Heath. Picture: Marcus Ward from Ward Pics

She added: “It is an opportunity for the community, including young people, to pay their respects to those who gave their lives for others.

“We need to help future generations to learn about, and understand, the importance of the sacrifices that were made.”

School children from Birchwood Grove CP School, Burgess Hill Academy, Burgess Hill Girls, London Meed CP School, Manor Field Primary School, Sheddingdean CP School, Southway Junior School, St Paul’s Catholic College and St Wilfrid’s Catholic Primary School joined the Armistice Day commemorations, on Friday.

Haywards Heath Town Council held the Remembrance Sunday service, which started at 10.45am at the war memorial on Muster Green. The service was conducted by reverend Ray Smith, and a two-minute silence took place at 11am.

Hollie Kaye and Sarah Bee from the 2nd Burgess Hill Girls' Brigade laid the Girls' Brigade wreath. Picture: 2nd Burgess Hill Girls' Brigade

More than a thousand people attended the service and were joined by local dignitaries and councillors, members of the armed forces, the RBL, youth organisations and other local groups. Music was played by Haywards Heath Concert Brass.

Steven Trice, the town clerk at Haywards Heath Town Council said he was ‘amazed’ by the amount of people, especially in this year’s parade, which was led by the Army Cadet Force (ACF).

He said: “It seems to get bigger and bigger every year – the parade especially, which was attended by scouts, brownies, ex-servicemen, the Air Cadets and the fire brigade.

“On behalf of the council, I would like to say a big thank you to the RBL and everyone who made it special and a great success.”

Girls laying poppy wreaths at the Remembrance Sunday service in Burgess Hill. Picture: Steve Robards

A short service was held at the war memorial in Cuckfield on Armistice Day at Holy Trinity Church and started just before 11am. The town’s Sunday service started at 10.45am. The RBL Clayton and Keymer branch held events on both Friday and Sunday. A two-minute silence took place on Armistice Day and the Sunday service started just before 11am.

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