Remembrance Sunday 2008

The Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Mavis Smitheman, will lead a procession from the Town Hall on Remembrance Sunday, which this year takes place on 9 November.

At 10.45am senior representatives from the Navy, Army, Air Force, Royal British Legion, Duke of Lancaster's Regiment and Reserve Forces will join the Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress, Irene Etchells, in procession to the Cenotaph in St Peter's Square.

Faith leaders, including representatives from the Muslim, Sikh, Hindu and Jewish communities, will join clergy from the Free Church, Church of England and Catholic Church.

The procession, led by the Greater Manchester Police Band, will also include the Lord Lieutenant, the Chief Executive and Leader of Manchester City Council, members of Council, Manchester MPs and magistrates.

It will make its way down Mount Street and Peter Street and will be called to attention by the parade commander. Just before 11am, the Last Post will sound to mark the start of the two-minute silence.

The Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Mavis Smitheman said: "Remembrance Sunday gives us the opportunity to pause and reflect upon the sacrifice made by all those who have given their lives for the freedom and peace of our country. It will be particularly poignant this year as we prepare to mark the 90th anniversary of the end of World War I, and I am extremely proud to lead the procession here in Manchester.

"I am sure the people of Manchester will turn out in force to remember our local servicemen and women in particular and ask everyone to support the Royal British Legion and wear their poppy with pride."

After the silence, the trumpeters of the Greater Manchester Police Band will then sound the Reveille and the Lord Mayor will lay a wreath at the Cenotaph.

Faith leaders will lead hymns and prayers in memory of those who served their country. The procession will make its way back to Albert Square, where the Lord Mayor and civic party will take their place in front of the Albert Memorial.

The procession will then march past the Lord Mayor with the Service and ex-Service organisations making their way to Princess Street. The Remembrance Day proceedings will conclude with the National Anthem.

The city will also mark Armistice Day on 11 November, with a two-minute silence observed at 11am. The start and finish of the silence will be signified with the firing of a maroon from the roof of the Town Hall.

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