The Garden of Remembrance is outside Morgan’s Hotel and was officially blessed on November 3 at an event led by the Vicar of St Mary’s, the Reverend Justin Davies.
Also in attendance on the day were Lord Mayor, Cllr Paxton Hood-Williams, the Leader of the Council, Cllr Rob Stewart and the council’s Armed Forces Champion Cllr Wendy Lewis.
The Garden of Remembrance forms part of Swansea’s countdown to November 11. On that day the city’s main Cenotaph on the sea front and many other businesses, homes and memorials will fall silent at 11am for the National Two-Minute Silence.
The main event of the Remembrance commemorations is on Armistice Day, November 11, when civic dignitaries, councillors, the Royal British Legion, veterans and the public will join together at Swansea’s Cenotaph for the occasion.
Present at the Cenotaph that day will be the Lord Mayor and Cllr Rob Stewart, Leader of the Council. Also there to pay their respects will be joint deputy leaders Cllr Andrea Lewis and Cllr Hopkins as well as Cllr King and Cllr Wendy Lewis.
The city’s St David’s Place will also fall silent for two minutes on November 11 at a special Swansea Remembers event organised by the council and the local branch of the Royal British Legion.
Cllr Hood-Williams speaking about the plans for the day said:
“Two minutes of quiet contemplation is a symbol of our gratitude to those who went into harm’s way protecting our freedom, and those who still do.
“Shared across Swansea and the rest of the UK at the same moment, it is a poignant reminder of a shared heritage of sacrifice and endeavour coming as we also remember the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.”
Among other commemorative events taking place in the countdown to November 11 are:
- November 3, 2pm. Christchurch, Swansea. A service of past and present service personnel and Normandy veterans, attended by the Lord Mayor, Leader, Cllr King and Cllr Wendy Lewis.
- November 8, 9am. Gowerton School Remembrance Service attended by the Lord Mayor
- November 9, 6pm for 7pm. Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at Brangwyn Hall, attended by the Lord Mayor, Cllr King and Cllr Wendy Lewis. The public are welcome to come along if you can. You don’t need tickets but be in your seat by 6.30pm.
- November 10, 10.30am for 11am. Cenotaph Service. Attended by the Lord Mayor. Please note: The Leader, Cllr Hopkins, Cllr Andrea Lewis and Cllr Wendy Lewis and other councillors will be attending Remembrance events in their own local wards.
- November 10, 2pm. The RBL’s Swansea’s Remembrance Parade will take place in Oxford Street.
- November 10, 2pm for 2.30pm. St Mary’s Church. Service of Remembrance. Attended by the Lord Mayor, the Leader, deputy leaders, Cllr King and Cllr Wendy Lewis.
- November 11, 6.45am for 7.15am – Poppies for Paddington ceremony at Swansea Railway Station, attended by the Lord Mayor, Leader and Cllr Wendy Lewis.
- November 11, 10.15am for 11am. Cenotaph, Swansea. Remembrance Service. Attended by the Lord Mayor, the Leader, Cllr Hopkins, Cllr King and Cllr Wendy Lewis.
- November 11, 10.30am for 11am. St David’s Place Swansea Remembers. Attended by Deputy Lord Mayor, Cllr Wendy Fitzgerald and Cllr Andrea Lewis.
- November 15, noon. Air Defence Monument near the two bridges on Fabian Way. Re-dedication and unveiling of ‘The Kilvey Boys’ monument. Attended by the Lord Mayor, Cllr Andrea Lewis and Cllr Wendy Lewis.
- Civic buildings around Swansea will fall silent on November 11 at 11am for the National Two Minute Silence.
- The Guildhall will be lit in Poppy red on the evenings of November 10 and November 11.
Cllr Stewart said:
“It is our privilege as councillors to be part of a weekend of commemorations that tell the story of the sacrifice and service of our armed forces.
“We will be at events across Swansea as local representatives to express the gratitude of our communities to veterans and current members of the armed forces for what they do for us.
“But I know we’ll be joined by many other people for what is one of the most important – and most poignant – anniversaries of the year. If you can attend an event near you, please do.”
Poppies are on sale at a number of council venues around the city, including Swansea Market, a number of libraries and the Civic Centre.
[Lead image: Swansea Council]
