Residents across Torbay are invited to come together this November to mark Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day, with a programme of services and ceremonies taking place in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham.

The annual commemorations honour the courage, service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces community of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth. They provide an opportunity for people of all faiths, cultures and backgrounds to remember those who have served, past and present, and to pay tribute to those who gave their lives protecting the freedoms we enjoy today.

Cllr Hazel Foster, The Worshipful Mayor of Torbay, said: “When the guns fell silent at the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month of 1918, a promise was made to remember those who had made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. It’s a promise we keep today and renew every Remembrance Sunday.

“I invite everyone to join the services being held on Remembrance Sunday. To remember those from our bay who answered the call of duty and did not return, their families and the veterans still affected by their service today.”

The list of Remembrance services taking places across Torbay along with parking and road closure information is below:

Torquay

Remembrance Sunday - Sunday 8 November

§  Annual Civic Parade and Service

A parade led by Armed Forces personnel, veterans and cadets will set off at 10:50am from Vaughan Parade. It will make its way to the Cenotaph in Princess Gardens, where the traditional two minutes' silence will be observed at 11am. The service will include wreath laying and a maroon firing at the start and end of the silence.

Musical performances will be provided by Bay Brass, Exeter Pipe and Drums, and Unleashed Choir. Cllr Hazel Foster, The Worshipful Mayor of Torbay, will also be in attendance.

A further memorial service will take place at 3pm in the churchyard on Tor Church Road.

Road closures:

Torbay Road will be closed in both directions between Belgrave Road/Shedden Hill and the Torbay Hotel from 9am to 1pm.

Vaughan Parade will be closed from 9am to 1pm. Parking suspensions will be in place along Torbay Road from 1am to 12pm.

The following car parks will remain available:

Shedden Hill Car Park

Fleet Walk Car Park

Beacon Quay Car Park (access via Meadfoot Road or Torwood Street/Victoria Parade only)

Marina Car Park - please note that vehicles must enter before 9am and will not be able to leave until road closures are lifted at 1pm.

Bus services:

During the road closures, all bus services will arrive and depart from Cary Parade, with bus services operating as normal on Torquay seafront adjacent to and opposite Abbey Park. Buses will be on diversion between Cary Parade and Torquay Seafront.

Armistice Day - Wednesday 11 November

A number of services will take place across Torquay:

11am - Armistice Service and Two Minutes' Silence, Torquay Town Hall

11am - Armistice Service, St Marychurch War Memorial, Fore Street

1pm - Memorial Service, War Memorial, St Mark's Road

7.30pm - Festival of Remembrance, Central Church, Tor Hill Road

The service at Torquay Town Hall will be led by the Torquay branch of the Royal British Legion, with a pistol fired to mark the beginning and end of the two minutes' silence.

Paignton

Remembrance Sunday - Sunday 8 November

A morning church service will take place at 10am at Paignton Parish Church with the Paignton branch of the Royal British Legion.

At 3pm, a wreath-laying service will be held at the War Memorial in Palace Avenue Gardens. The service will include a two minutes' silence and participation from local dignitaries and community organisations.

Anyone wishing to lay a wreath should contact the Royal British Legion branch chairman at: Paignton.chairman@rbl.community

Parking and road closures:

Palace Avenue will be closed from 2:30pm to 4pm and parking restrictions will be in place from 2pm to 4pm.

Armistice Day - Wednesday 11 November

A short service and two minutes' silence will take place at 11am at Paignton War Memorial.

Brixham

Remembrance Sunday - Sunday 8 November

Brixham Remembrance Parade will assemble at Kings Quay/Southern Quay before setting off at approximately 10.40am. It will arrive at Berry Head Road for the service at 10.58am, before continuing to Fore Street for the salute.

Road closure:

Berry Head Road, between the Breakwater Car Park entrance and the mini roundabout, will be closed from 10am to 12pm.

Wreaths laid at sea:

Following the main service, a short ceremony on the water will be led by the Fishermen's Mission Area Officer. Those wishing to honour loved ones lost at sea are welcome to lay wreaths in front of the Lifeboat Station.

Armistice Day - Wednesday 11 November

A remembrance service will take place at 10.55am at Churston War Memorial.

Festival of Remembrance - Tuesday 4 November

A Festival of Remembrance will be held at 7pm on Tuesday 4 November at St Mary's Church, Brixham. Organised by the Royal British Legion, they will be joined by the Brixham Town Band; Brixham Orpheus Male Voice Choir, Church of England Primary School and the Harbour Boys.

Stagecoach free travel offer

Stagecoach is offering free travel on all Stagecoach bus services across the UK for serving military personnel, veterans and cadets on Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day.

Simply show your uniform, military ID, medals or veteran identification to the driver when boarding. More information here: Free Bus Travel For Veterans on Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day | Stagecoach

About Armistice Day

Armistice Day was established as a Day of Remembrance for those who died in the First World War, which ended at 11am on 11 November 1918. Remembrance events are organised by the Royal British Legion, a charity which supports the Armed Forces community, from currently serving personnel to veterans and their families.