The Remembrance Sunday parade, church service and laying of poppy wreaths took place on a mild November afternoon in Swanage, Dorset.
As the newly elected member of parliament for South Dorset, it was the first time that Lloyd Hatton had participated in the annual remembrance event, which took place on Sunday 10th November 2024.
South Dorset MP Lloyd Hatton (centre) walks in the procession next to Swanage town mayor Tina Foster (right)
First time for new MP
Grateful that the early morning rain had dried up and that it wasn’t freezing cold as in past years, the parade set off from The Mowlem in Shore Road at 2 pm.
As well as our new MP, many of the Swanage town councillors who were newly elected in May 2024, took part for the first time in an official capacity.
The procession headed along Institute Road, the High Street, Kings Road East and then turned left up Kings Road West towards St Mary’s Church.
Ringwood Pipe Band are always very impressive
Serving soldiers join the parade
Packed to the rafters
The church was packed with soldiers, former armed forces personnel, young people from the Scouting movement, RAF air cadets, emergency services crews, representatives from local organisations and residents.
The service started at 2.30 pm with hymns, prayers and readings from the Bible.
Afterwards, the congregation left the church and headed in a procession towards the Swanage War Memorial on the Recreation Ground, overlooking Swanage Bay.
Many Swanage organisations were represented at the church service
Bird’s eye view of St Mary’s
Last Post as the light began to fade
At the war memorial, as the light began to fade, there was the playing of the Last Post and the laying of wreaths from a wide range of organisations representing most aspects of Swanage life.
Another ceremony will take place at the Swanage War Memorial from 10.45 am on Monday 11th November 2024 to mark the Armistice – the moment at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month when the formal agreement was signed to end World War One. All are welcome to come along.
Swanage town mayor Tina Foster lays a wreath accompanied by president of Swanage Royal British Legion John Corben
Lloyd Hatton MP attends Swanage Remembrance Sunday for the first time
Watch the parade to the church
Watch the wreath laying ceremony
More pictures
Everyone assembled at The Mowlem before the parade set off for the church service
Plenty of puff for Ringwood Pipe Band
In St Mary’s Church
Soldiers take pride of place
The Ringwood Pipe Band takes a beat
An old repair to the damaged plaque on the war memorial needs to be redone and work is scheduled to take place soon, possibly helped by a grant from the War Memorial Trust
Soldiers on parade
Members of the Swanage National Coastwatch Institute pay their respects
South Dorset MP Lloyd Hatton (left) takes a moment to chat to the chair of Corfe Council parish council Steve Clarke (right) accompanied by parliamentary assistant Laura Haigh
Poppy crosses remembering those from Swanage who died in war, were planted by school children in the flower beds surrounding the war memorial
