Record crowd for Remembrance Sunday Armistice Day in Newark
A record crowd lined the streets of Newark town centre today for Remembrance Sunday, in this, the centenary year of the end of the first world war.
The town fell silent at 11am with only the chimes of the clock of the parish church of St Mary Magdalene audible.
Two minutes of silence was impeccably observed by a respectful town.
A parade had formed at the London Road carpark.
It was formed of veterans, serving members of the Armed Forces, RAF, Army and Navy cadets, former police officers, firemen, and medics.
The Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry and 32 (Minden) Battery of the 16th Regiment, Royal Artillery, were among serving members of the Forces and paraded with the Newark Branch of the Royal British Legion.
It was led by a member of the Royal British Legion biker section, Nick Saxby, from Balderton.
Hundreds of people lined the streets as the parade marched along Baldertongate and Appletongate to the parish church, where the standards fell out and lined the route to the war memorial.
The Town Mayor of Newark, Tony Roberts, led the traditional civic procession across to the memorial from the Town Hall.
Prayers led by the priest-in-charge of St Mary Magdalene, Rev David Pickersgill.
Wreaths were laid by, among others, the Queen's representative, Brigadier Michael Browne, Mr Roberts, the chairman of Newark and Sherwood District Council, Keith Walker and Newark MP Robert Jenrick.
Major Robert Deane, of 32 (Minden) Battery laid a wreath and said: "We are very proud to be here representing and remembering ex-Servicemen and women of all the ages.
"We are proud to be shoulder-to-shoulder with members of the Newark branch of the Royal Artillery Association on such a poignant occasion as this — the centenary of the wnd of the first world war."
49,706 members of the Royal Artillery lost their lives in The Great War.
Today's musical accompaniment was provided by the Newark Town Band and a bugler played the Last Post and Reveille either side of the two minutes silence at 11am.
A church service followed.
There was then a march past in the Market Place where the salute will be taken by Brigadier Browne, Mark Smith, honorary Colonel of the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry, Mr Roberts and others.
Newark Town Band again provided musical
Newark Town Band again provided musical accompaniment as the parade returned to the London Road carpark via the Market Place, Bridge Street and Baldertongate.
There was then a reception in the town hall.