People from across Rhondda Cynon Taf are invited to come together and pay their respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country at the Pontypridd Remembrance Sunday Parade and Service.
The event is being held in partnership with Pontypridd Town Council and will take place in Ynysangharad War Memorial Park on Sunday, November 12th and will include a parade through the park involving people of all ages from a range of community and military organisations.
The parade will start at 10.35 and will culminate at the War Memorial where a service led by the Reverend Charlotte Rushton of St Catherine’s Church, Pontypridd will take place at 11am. The service offers everyone a chance to join in prayer and a two-minute silence in reflection and remembrance of those who gave their lives in service to their country.
It is also a chance for the Council and its communities to reaffirm its support to all members of the Armed Forces Community, serving and retired. Rhondda Cynon Taf has a proud record of valuing its armed services, both past and present, and its Armed Forces Covenant is proactively and significantly takes forward the Council’s, and the County Borough’s, objectives to support our Armed Forces Community.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the official opening of Ynysangharad War Memorial Park by Field Marshal Viscount Allenby. The Park, originally dedicated to the fallen of the Great War, has continued to evolve across the century and today offers us a place of remembrance for all those who have given their lives in the service of our country across the subsequent years.
In 2011 the Park’s roll of honour was unveiled. It honours the individuals from the Pontypridd area, who made the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of freedom.
The names listed on the Roll of honour include 821 people who died in the first World War, 492 who died in the Second World War, six Welsh Guards lost their lives in the Falklands and those who died in the line of duty in Palestine, Korea and the Suez.
The Roll of Honour is continually updated. In the last year alone, three additional names have been added and a name correction has also taken place. The memorial currently honours a total of 1,322 brave individuals.
Cllr Maureen Webber, Deputy Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Armed Forces Champion, said:
All members of the public are invited to pay their respects at Pontypridd Remembrance Sunday Parade and Service. While it is a time for reflection and remembrance, this poignant event is also a chance for us to come together and support each other.
Remembrance Services and events are being held throughout Rhondda Cynon Taf. These are organised by town councils and local groups, Please find information on these in your local area.
