Local communities fell silent to pay tribute to those who have lost their lives in conflict around the world, to comfort their families and to think of those who continue to keep us safe today in the armed forces, both on Friday, 11th November and in services held on Remembrance Sunday, 13th November.

Midsomer Norton High Street closed as a march took place to the War Memorial for a short service, followed by an all denominational Church Service at St John’s. This year’s event was organised by both the Midsomer Norton and Radstock branch of the Royal British Legion and Midsomer Norton Town Council and was very well attended.

In Radstock, there were prayers at the War Memorial on the Friday, with a service on Sunday afternoon. This year, a special knitted wreath was created by the Radstock Knitters and took pride of place on the town’s Miners’ Wheel in the Memorial Gardens.

In Peasedown St John, the Parish Council was represented at the Remembrance Service on Sunday at St John’s Church; where Chair of the Parish Council, Cllr Kathy Thomas, laid a wreath on behalf of the Council and read a lesson.

New Remembrance plaque in Westfield

In response to a request from local residents, Westfield Parish Council has installed a remembrance plaque on the time capsule stone at the top of Elm Tree Avenue, to commemorate all who gave their lives in service for their country.

For those in Westfield who wish to stop for a moment of quiet reflection or place a poppy or cross in remembrance, we hope that this will be a place where they may do so. Chair of the Council, Geoff Fuller said: “This is a poignant reminder in which the people of Westfield can show their respect.”

The community of Paulton Remembers

Union flags, provided by the parish, and poppy flags, created by Pride in Paulton (PiP), were hung in the centre of Paulton last week. The Art Club’s poppy canvas was repaired and re-hung in the High Street.

Friday’s candlelit vigil at the War Memorial, organised by Dave Hamblin and PiP, featured the reading of Laurence Binyon’s poem ‘For The Fallen’, the reading of the roll of honour from the War Memorial, observance of a minute’s silence and the sounding of ‘The Last Post’ by bugle.

The lights were dimmed at The Lamb Inn, leaving just the beer garden lit by candles. As the vigil ended, the bells of Holy Trinity, traditionally half-muffled for Remembrance, were rung before the Service for Commemoration of the Faithful Departed.

On Sunday, the roads were closed for the Remembrance Day parade, attended by villagers, councillors, children and members of the Forces. A short service was held and wreaths were laid at the War Memorial.