A national two-minute silence will be held at 11 am on Remembrance Sunday (8th November) to remember those who have been killed or injured in wars and conflicts worldwide. The Queen will lead a national service of remembrance at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, starting at 10.30.
A two-minute silence is also held at 11.00 am on Armistice Day (11th November), marking the end of the First World War.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
- Laurence Binyon
You will see lots of people wearing poppies in their jackets during early November. The poppy is a symbol of remembrance and the little paper ones we wear are made by the Royal British Legion, a charity that supports veterans and war widows. The reason the poppy was chosen as a symbol of remembrance is that poppies were amongst the first flowers to grow back after the end of fighting in the First World War, in the fields of northern France.
At Connaught Hall, we will show the remembrance service on the TV in the bar from 10:30 am on Sunday 8th November. We invite you to join us at this time.
We also have poppies available from reception, so you can wear one on your coat or jumper. Please make a donation in the box if you take a poppy.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
- John McRae
