Ringwood is starting its Remembrance commemorations early this year.

On this Saturday 5 November there will be a service at the War Graves in Ringwood Cemetery. Poppy crosses will be laid on the graves of service personnel whose last resting place is Ringwood. This service is open to all; meet in the Cemetery Car Park at 10.45am and then walk to the graves.

On Armistice Day, Friday 11 November, there will be a service at the War Memorial at 10.45am and, at 11am, the national two minutes of silence will be observed. In accordance with local tradition, the start and end of the silence will be marked by the firing of a maroon which will generate a loud bang to be heard around the town.

On Sunday 13 November, Remembrance Sunday, there will be various services around the town, after which a parade will gather in the Market Place from 11.30am. Shortly after, those assembled will process to the War Memorial Garden where there will be a short service followed by the formal Act of Remembrance at 12 noon. This will be followed by a formal wreath-laying ceremony and a procession back to Market Place.

Members of the public are warmly invited to attend and to bring their own tributes which may be laid at the appropriate time. A short road closure will be in place to allow the procession to take place safely.