Sunderland Remembrance Service and Parade

SERVICE personnel and veterans will join the Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor Ehthesham Haque, when the city pays its respects at the annual Remembrance Parade and Service at the War Memorial in Burdon Road this Sunday (9 November). 

The parade, led by personnel from 3rd Battalion The Rifles, who have the Freedom of the City, will set off from the top of Burdon Road at 10.35am, accompanied by the British Army Band Catterick and Bearpark and Esh Colliery Band.

As in previous years, two field guns from 4th Regiment Royal Artillery, who also have the Freedom of the City, will be fired from the terrace in Mowbray Park to signal the start of the two-minute silence at 11am.

This will be followed by the annual wreath laying around the war memorial and on the memorial wall. The wall was built with funds raised by the charity Brothers in Arms to provide a permanent tribute to those who have lost their lives in active service since the end of the Second World War.

The parade will end in a march past of veterans and serving members of His Majesty's Forces. The salute will be taken by Vice Lord-Lieutenant for Tyne and Wear Lt. Gen. Robin V Brims, CB, CBE, DSO, DL; the Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor Ehthesham Haque and Lt Col Thomas Redon from the saluting dais on Borough Road.

The Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor Ehthesham Haque, said: "We're incredibly proud of our strong connections with the Armed Forces in Sunderland.

"Remembrance Sunday is an important opportunity for the whole city to come together to pay tribute to all those who fought in conflicts past and present and those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. 

"This year's tributes also take on an added poignancy and symbolism, having marked the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe in May and the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan in August.

"It's always really moving to see so many people coming together in person to pay tribute to all those involved in past conflicts. It's also very much about honouring the servicemen and women of today and letting them know how much we value what they do and appreciate the sacrifices they make on our behalf. I would also encourage people to think about going to one of the many local Remembrance Services and Parades in communities across our city."

Anyone thinking of coming along to the service at the war memorial in Burdon Road is advised to dress for the weather and be in place by 10.15am. 

Parking is available within the city centre. Further details can be found at: www.sunderland.gov.uk/car-parks. 

Two public viewing screens, one on Holmeside and the other on Burdon Road, will provide good views of both the service and the parade. Access to the disabled platform next to the War Memorial is available from 9.30am. Burdon Road and Park Road will both be closed from 7am until approximately 2pm.

The service and parade will also be live-streamed on the Sunderland, UK Facebook page for those who prefer to watch it from home.

Remembrance Services are also being held in Easington Lane, Fencehouses, Houghton, Ryhope, Silksworth, South Hylton, Fatfield in Washington and Washington Village and people may prefer to attend a local service rather than the one in the city centre.

Armistice Day is also being commemorated in Sunderland with a two-minute silence at 11am on Tuesday 11 November to mark the Armistice that ended the First World War. The start of the silence will be signalled by maroons fired from Mowbray Park.

City landmarks including Northern Spire Bridge, Penshaw Monument, Hylton Castle, Fulwell Mill, the White Lighthouse at Seaburn, Keel Square and High Street West, will be lit red in the evening from Remembrance Sunday on 9 November until and the evening of Armistice Day on Tuesday 11 November.