Wimborne pays its respects

A crowd of over 200, including a number of veterans gathered beside the war memorial on Wimborne’s Minster Green adjacent to the Church of St Cuthburga at 11am this morning (11 November) to mark the two minutes silence for Armistice Day.

A short service, conducted by the rector of Wimborne Minster, the Reverend Canon John Holbrook was followed by the last post, sounded by bugler, Mark Adams.  The Exhortation was said by Captain David Hoyle, late XX the Lancashire Fusiliers and chairman of Wimborne Royal British Legion. 

Alan Dean, MBE formerly of the Parachute Regiment laid a wreath of poppies assisted by Captain Ian Munro, MC, formerly the Royal Scots Fusiliers.

Anne Hodkinson and Spencer Hare of Wimborne Royal British Legion carried the standards, with the Dorset flag being carried by the deputy town crier, Mel Gudger.

The Town Mayor, Cllr Robin Cook and deputy, Cllr John Burden, together with other town councillors were also present along with members of the Fire Brigade.

In The Square and High Street, which the police had closed to traffic, people stood still to observe the two minutes silence.

The only sound to be heard was the starlings singing in the Minster’s yew trees. Fortunately the weather stayed fine for the occasion unlike on Remembrance Sunday and indeed yesterday (Monday) when the high winds and lashing rain brought down the Minster’s flag pole.