AT THE eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month, Wokingham once again came to a standstill.
For two minutes the traffic stopped, the people stood silent, taking part once again in a simple, yet solemn, act of remembrance.
Hundreds gathered outside the Town Hall in Market Place to pay their respects in a short ceremony which saw Wokingham Town Council’s honorary bugler, Damon Emes, play first The Last Post and then Reveille.
The scene on Saturday – Armistice Day – was repeated the next morning.
Then, in the afternoon, the annual civic service was held in All Saints Church.
A procession, headed up by Saint Sebastian Wokingham Band and dignitaries including Wokingham MP Sir John Redwood, made its way from a damp Market Place to the church.
It included Deputy Lieutenant Stefan Fafinski representing The Berkshire Lieutenancy, the High Sheriff of Berkshire Simon Muir, Wokingham High Steward Lucy Zeal, Wokingham Borough Council Mayor Cllr Beth Rowland, Thames Valley Police Bracknell and Wokingham, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Poppy Appeal Wokingham, Wokingham ATC, Royal County of Berkshire Army Cadets, Girlguiding Royal Berkshire County, Wokingham District Scouts, Wokingham Lions Club, Barkham Hookers Charity Group, Berkshire Search & Rescue Dogs, Wokingham Masons, RAFA, Rotary Club of Wokingham, Wokingham in Need and The Salvation Army Wokingham.
Inside, there was an ecumenical service with an address from All Saints’ the Revd Hannah Higginson, prayers by the Revd Nick Hudson from Wokingham Baptist Church.
A communion was led by the Revd Catherine Bowstead from Wokingham Methodist Church.
A Scripture reading was given by Jessica Yelland from the 3rd Wokingham (Mayor’s Own) Scouts, and the Koima Epitaph was read by Wokingham Air Cadet’s Sgt Miles Clark. A candle was lit by Cadet Thomas Humphris from the Air Cadets.
The two-minute silence was prefaced by the exhortation read by Wokingham Army Cadet LCpl Abbott.
Hymns included All My Hope on God Is Founded and I Vow To Thee My Country.
Afterwards, the parade formed up again and walked back to Wokingham Town Hall, where wreaths were laid by the war memorial which is on the first floor of the historic building.
