Staffordshire communities invited to mark Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day
Communities across the county are invited to attend services and events honouring the Armed Forces community and remembering those who lost their lives in service
People across Staffordshire are being encouraged to attend local services and commemorations to remember those who have served and sacrificed for their country.
Remembrance Sunday will be marked on November 8, followed by Armistice Day on November 11, with events taking place across the county.
Representatives from Staffordshire County Council will join communities and organisations at services and commemorations, including events in Stafford, Barlaston, Swynnerton and Oulton.
The Royal British Legion National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas will host a programme of events from November 8 to 11. These will include its annual Remembrance Sunday service at the Armed Forces Memorial and an Armistice Day service.
Visitors will also be able to pay their respects at the Field of Remembrance, where thousands of personal tributes honour members of the Armed Forces community who lost their lives in service.
Paul Williams, chairman of Staffordshire County Council, will attend an event organised by Chase Arts for Public Spaces at the National Miners' Memorial in the arboretum on Remembrance Sunday. He will also attend commemorations there from 9am on Armistice Day.
He said: "Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day give us an important opportunity to come together as communities and remember the courage, service and sacrifice of all those who have served our country.
"I would encourage people across Staffordshire to join a local commemoration and take a moment to pay their respects. It is important that we continue to remember and ensure the sacrifices made by previous generations are never forgotten."
The council's vice-chairman and former soldier Gorden Munro will represent the authority at Stafford Borough Council's open-air Remembrance Sunday event. He will also attend an Act of Remembrance in Stafford's Market Square at 10.50am on November 11.
Sean Bagguley, acting deputy leader of the county council, will attend the service in Barlaston on Remembrance Sunday and lay wreaths at Swynnerton and Oulton.
Lord-Lieutenant Liz Barnes will also attend Stafford Borough Council's Remembrance Sunday event, as well as commemorations at the National Memorial Arboretum on Armistice Day.
Hayley Coles, acting leader of Staffordshire County Council, said: "Remembrance is an important part of our shared history and gives people of all ages the opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made by our Armed Forces community.
"There will be commemorations taking place right across the county, and I would encourage people to join their local community in paying tribute and showing their support."
Staffordshire has a long association with the Armed Forces, with military bases in Stafford and at Whittington, near Lichfield. The county is also home to more than 30,000 veterans, alongside serving personnel, reservists, cadets and their families.
The county council leads the Staffordshire Armed Forces Covenant partnership and holds a Gold Defence Employer Recognition Award for its support of the Armed Forces community.
It is also encouraging businesses and organisations to sign the Armed Forces Covenant and pledge their support.