Fortunately the rain held off for the start of the Remembrance Sunday events in Swanage, Dorset, but as the poppy wreaths were laid at the war memorial overlooking a blustery sea, everyone got drenched as it poured down.
However spirits were not to be dampened as all those from the youngest of Scouts to the oldest of military veterans put their hoods or umbrellas up and just kept calm and carried on.
The parade started from The Mowlem with Swanage town mayor Mike Bonfield (left) and MP for South Dorset Lloyd Hatton (right)
The Ringwood Pipe Band led the way
The Wareham and Swanage RAF Air Training Corps took part
Remembering two World Wars and later conflicts
Remembrance Sunday, which took place this year on Sunday 9th November 2025, commemorates the British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women, who served in the two World Wars and later conflicts.
The afternoon started off at 2 pm with a parade from The Mowlem in Shore Road, along Institute Road, Kings Road East, and up Kings Road West to St Mary’s Church.
Inside St Mary’s, a service of remembrance took place
An impressive setting for the service
Packed church service
The traditional Remembrance Sunday service took place in the packed church led by the Reverend Ian Bird.
Attending were members of the Swanage Royal British Legion, military veterans, Swanage town mayor Mike Bonfield, MP for South Dorset Lloyd Hatton, plus current serving military personnel, RAF Air Training Cadets, Scouts, and local residents.
After the service, there was a procession led by the Ringwood Pipe Band to the war memorial on the Recreation Ground near the seafront.
At about 3.30 pm, just as the band turned into Horsecliffe Lane and the sound of the bagpipes resonated across the Rec, the rain started to pour down.
Chair of the Swanage Royal British Legion Steve Westwood (left) with Reverend Ian Bird (right) at the war memorial as the rain pours down
The bugler gets an umbrella
The laying of the wreaths carries on despite the weather
It got wetter and wetter
Having remained dry for much of the afternoon, most people just soldiered on at the war memorial, paying their respects to those who served and died in military conflict, as it got wetter and wetter.
A moment of silence, the playing of the Last Post, and the laying of wreaths took place in a respectful but slightly quicker pace.
At the end, the usual chatting and catching up was truncated as people dived towards shelter from the rain, many heading up to the Swanage Legion for refreshments.
Lloyd Hatton MP pauses after laying his poppy wreath
Sheltering from the wind and the rain at the war memorial
A sea of umbrellas
Armistice ceremony
This was the first Remembrance Sunday in a long time that has been affected by rain but as usual it was an impressive and sobering afternoon of reflection.
An official armistice ceremony marking the end of World War One will take place at the Swanage war memorial on Tuesday 11th November 2025 from 10.45 am, with two minutes of silence at 11 am. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Watch the parade
Watch the war memorial act of remembrance
More photos
Swanage town mayor Mike Bonfield and MP for South Dorset Lloyd Hatton walk shoulder to shoulder
The Royal Corps of Signals march to church
Military medals were proudly displayed
President of Swanage Royal British Legion John Corben (left) with MP Lloyd Hatton (right)
On Friday 7th November 2025 Swanage pupils planted the crosses remembering those who have died in war
The end of the day
