Maidstone Borough Council marks Armistice 100 with Remembrance Day events

Marking 100 years since the end of the First World War, Maidstone Borough Council invites you to join us for a day of remembrance in a poignant tribute to those who served, and continue to serve in the Armed Forces. Members of the public will be able to observe the occasion with us at the annual parade and service of remembrance through the town centre, and an evening Battle’s Over ceremony in Jubilee Square, new for this year. Both events are free to attend.

Parade and Service of Remembrance

Sunday 11th November, Maidstone town centre, 10.30am – 11.30am

Click here to view the Order of Service.

The parade and service is well attended with HM Lord Lieutenant of Kent, the Mayor of Maidstone, military and civilian organisations and members of the public, and includes the two minute silence at 11am at the Memorial in The Broadway, followed by the laying of wreaths.
10:30: The parade will step off from the junction of Earl Street with Week Street, into the High Street and Lower High Street, to the bridge system. The parade will cross the bridge and march to the war memorial in the Broadway.

10:50: The Service of Remembrance will commence at the Memorial and will be followed by the laying of wreaths.

11:15: The dignitaries’ party, followed by the parade, will process back across the bridge and into the High Street where the Lord Lieutenant, Mayor and Commanding Officer take the salute from the parade on a dais to the side of the Town Hall in Jubilee Square.

11:25: The parade turns into Week Street and makes its way to its point of dispersal.

In order to ensure the safety and security of participants and spectators it is necessary to close roads along the route of the parade and around the memorial.

Road closures to be put in place between 09.45 and 12.30, using rolling closures where possible, although roads will be reopened once the procession has passed, are:-

• Earl Street
• Week Street
• High Street
• Wyke Manor Road
• Pudding Lane (jcn with High Street)
• Jubilee Square
• Bank Street
• Gabriels Hill
• Mill Street
• Lower High Street
• Bridge Gyratory
• Barker Road
• St Peters Street
• The Broadway
• Rocky Hill
• Vine Mews
• London Road (from junction with Buckland Hill to Rocky Hill)
• Tonbridge Road (from junction with Broadway to junction off Terrace Road)

Diversions will be in place and roads will be reopened as soon as possible but roads may be closed as deemed necessary between these times.  The area around the Memorial, the Broadway, London Road, Rocky Hill, Tonbridge Road and St Peter’s Street will be the most affected and are likely to remain shut between at least 10.30 and 11.30.

We apologise for the inconvenience the road closures, parade and service may cause but trust you will understand the importance of commemorating Armistice Day and remembering the men and women who have been killed or wounded in conflict.

We thank you in advance for your patience on Remembrance Sunday.

Battle’s Over beacon lighting ceremony

Sunday 11th November, Jubilee Square, 6.30pm – 7.30pm

As guests and members of the public gather in Jubilee Square, a piper will perform, followed by the playing of the Last Post by Kevin Ashman. There will be an address from the Mayor of Maidstone and military and faith representatives, and a beacon will be lit.
Local churches will ring their bells at 7:05pm to commemorate the end of WW1, which will be audible within the Square, throughout the town centre, and beyond. Churches confirmed as taking part include All Saints Church, St Michael and All Angels.

Maidstone Borough Council will be broadcasting live from both of these events via its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MaidstoneBoroughCouncil