Liverpool announces Remembrance Sunday service details
Liverpool City Council’s annual Remembrance Service of will take place on Sunday, 10 November, on the plateau at St George’s Hall.
Thousands are expected to gather on Lime Street to commemorate the event, themed “The 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Normandy Landings and the Battle of Arnhem.”
The Band of The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment and The Pipes and Drums of The Liverpool Scottish Regimental Association will perform from 10.40am, leading up to the service. This will be followed by a special performance by The Lighthouse Gospel Choir, singing Abide With Me.
The service will include readings and prayers by The Bishop of Liverpool, Rt Revd Dr John Perumbalath, The Archbishop of Liverpool, Most Reverend Malcolm McMahon, and Revd Geoff Felton. Darshana Borad will offer a prayer in the Hindu tradition, representing the Faith Leaders’ Group. This year’s guest speaker will be Colonel Joe Harkon MBE TD, a former member of The Parachute Regiment.
At 11am, a traditional gun firing will mark the start of a two-minute silence, with a second firing to signal its conclusion.
Following the silence, key civic, military, and religious leaders, along with cadets, will participate in the traditional wreath-laying ceremony. The parade will then march from St George’s Plateau to salute the Cenotaph.
To mark Remembrance weekend, several of Liverpool’s landmarks—the Port of Liverpool Building, Cunard Building, Royal Liver Building, Liverpool Parish Church, St George’s Hall, and Liverpool Town Hall—will be lit up in red from Friday, 8 November, through to Monday, 11 November.
A large poppy will be displayed at the Bombed Out Church, open to the public on Sunday, 10 November.
The Hall of Remembrance will not be open this year due to the ongoing Thirwall inquiry however the public are welcome to lay wreaths or pay their respects at the Cenotaph on Sunday and on Monday.
Road closures
The following closures will be in place on Sunday 10 November:
- William Brown Street from Byrom Street – 7am -1pm
- London Road between Seymour Street and Lime Street – 9.30am – 1pm
- Commutation Row between Islington and Lime Street – 9.30am – 1pm
- Islington between Fraser Street and Commutation Row – 9.30am – 1pm
- Lime Street between London Road and Copperas Hill 9.30am – 1pm
- St. John’s Lane and St. George’s Place between Old Haymarket and Lime Street – 9.30am – 1pm
- Skelhorne Street between Bolton Street and Lime Street – 9.30am – 1pm
- Queens Square Bus Station will be closed from 9.30am – 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.
Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Cllr Richard Kemp, said: “Our annual Remembrance Sunday service is a profoundly meaningful event that unites our city in paying tribute to those who have committed themselves to protecting the freedoms we enjoy today.
“This year is particularly poignant as it marks the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Normandy Landings and the Battle of Arnhem.
“We must never forget and always honour the sacrifices made by all who have served, past and present.”