A temporary Garden of Remembrance has been opened in the city centre as Swansea remembers those who have fallen this November.
The Garden of Remembrance is outside Morgan’s Hotel and was officially blessed on Sunday at an event led by the Vicar of Swansea Minster, Canon Justin Davies.
Also in attendance on the day were Lord Mayor, Cllr Cheryl Philpott, the Joint Deputy Leader of the Council, Cllr Andrea Williams 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.
On November 11 civic dignitaries including the Lord Mayor, the Joint Deputy Leader of the Council Cllr David Hopkins, councillors, the Royal British Legion, veterans and the public will join together at Swansea’s Cenotaph for Armistice Day’s National Two Minute Silence.
This year Portland Street in the city centre will also fall silent at a special Swansea Remembers event organised by the council and the local branch of the Royal British Legion.
Cllr Philpott 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 VE Day and VJ Day.”
On Remembrance Sunday, November 9, there will be many community commemorations around the city attended by ward members, veterans and local families.
Among the commemorative events taking place this Remembrance season are:
- November 8,
6pm for 7pm. Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at Brangwyn Hall, attended by the Lord Mayor, Cllr Elliott King, Cabinet Member for Culture, Human Rights and Equalities and Cllr Lewis. The public are welcome to come along. You don’t need tickets but must be in your seat by 6.30pm.
- November 9
- 10.30am for 11am. Cenotaph Service. Attended by the Lord Mayor and Cllr Hopkins
- 1.50pm. The Royal British Legion’s Swansea’s Remembrance Parade will take place in Oxford Street.
- 1.50pm for 2.30pm. Swansea Minster. Service of Remembrance. Attended by the Lord Mayor, Cllr Hopkins, Cllr King and Cllr Lewis.
- November 11
- 6.45am for 7.15am. Poppies for Paddington ceremony at Swansea Railway Station, attended by the Lord Mayor, Cllr Hopkins, and Cllr Lewis.
- 10.15am for 11am. Cenotaph, Swansea. Remembrance Service. Attended by the Lord Mayor, Cllr Hopkins, Cllr King and Cllr Lewis.
- 10.30am for 11am. Portland Street. Swansea Remembers.
- 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 9 and November 11.
Cllr Hopkins said: “As councillors it’s our privilege to be part of commemorations that tell the story of the sacrifice and service of our armed forces.”
Cllr Williams added: “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.
Cllr Lewis said: “Swansea has a proud history of honouring our armed forces and all those who go in harm’s way to keep the rest of us safe.
“In the coming days it’s important that we reflect on the sacrifices others have made.”
