'Fantastic turnout' for Melton's annual Remembrance Sunday parade

Town centre roads were closed to enable the safe passage of the colourful and dignified event in tribute to service personnel, past and present, who fought in the world wars and recent conflicts.

The town has traditionally strongly supported the Royal British British Legion’s Poppy Appeal and that appears to be the case again this year.

From the moment the players of Melton Band first struck up their music shortly after 10.20am there was a real buzz as children paid their respects alongside their parents and grandparents.

Veterans proudly wore their medals, either taking part in the parade or watching on from the public galleries, marching along with current members of the forces and young air and army cadets in perfect synchronicity.

Nick Pridden, chairman of the Melton Mowbray branch of the Royal British Legion, told the Melton Times afterwards: “The parade was bigger than ever this year and it was a fantastic turnout.

"That was the most I’ve ever seen in the church for Remembrance Day and some people couldn’t get in it was that busy.

"We had unbelievable support from Melton this year and we are on record to smash last year’s £23,000 figure raised from the local Poppy Appeal.

"The guys selling Poppies at Tesco took over £6,000 which is amazing.

"We’ve always been well supported in Melton and it astounds you each year that we get more and more.

"When you stand on the bridge in the Memorial Gardens during the service and see how many people were there it brings it home.”

The parade started in King Street and passed along Sage Cross Street, Sherrard Street and Market Place before heading to St Mary’s Church for the annual Remembrance service, which was taken by the Rev Mary Barr.

Standards were held aloft as representatives of the Royal British Legion, Royal Air Force Association, Royal Army Veterinary Corps Association, Defence Animal Training Regiment, Army, Air and Police Cadets were joined by members of the emergency services, Scouts, Guides, the borough council, Town Estate, local clubs and businesses, plus members of the Polish community.

Following the church service, the parade reassembled in Burton Street and proceeded along Leicester Street, saluting dignitaries at the dais in the Market Place, who included the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Melton MP Edward Argar and Mayor of Melton, Councillor Siggy Atherton.

Participants moved to Memorial Gardens where a short service was held, wreaths were laid, the Last Post was sounded and the National Anthem played.

The Mayor said afterwards: “I felt honoured and proud to be part of such an important occasion.

"Each year we have fewer veterans of the Second World War present, so it is important that we remember the sacrifice those men and women made.

"We must also remember our current servicemen and women, who are committed to continuing to serve our country and protect our freedom.”

A short Armistice Day service and a silence will be observed outside the Melton Royal British Legion HQ, in Thorpe End, tomorrow (Tuesday), which the public are invited to attend.