Diss, Harleston and Framlingham among those holding services to honour the services and sacrifice of our armed forces

The nation will fall silent this weekend as a host of services and parades are held to mark Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday.

Every year, on the second Sunday in November, the nation comes together to honour the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces community, the British and Commonwealth veterans, the Allies that fought alongside us and the civilian servicemen and women involved in the two world wars and later conflicts.

In Diss, there will be a short remembrance service at Diss Market Place at 11am tomorrow, with a parade taking place on Sunday.

Those taking part will form up at The Mere at 2pm to set off at 2.20pm to the war memorial at St Mary’s Church in Mount Street, where there will be a wreath-laying ceremony followed by a church service.

Bob Rogers, secretary of the Diss and District branch of the Royal British Legion, gave thanks Diss Town Council, St Mary’s Church and his colleagues in the legion for helping to organise this weekend’s events.

“For those who cannot get to the afternoon event, St Remigius Church in Roydon will have a service at 11am,” he said.

“Plus Harleston will have a parade and service by the war memorial at 11am on Sunday, so please support them as well.”

In Harleston, a specially commissioned wreath stand will be unveiled in the war memorial gardens in Broad Street tomorrow at 10.45am.

On Remembrance Sunday, a parade will form up in Exchange Street and The Market Place at 10.30am, before setting off at 10.40am.

It will head through the Thoroughfare, turn into Broad Street and proceed to the war memorial for a wreath-laying ceremony.

This will be followed by a service in St John’s Church. Members of the public are invited to attend the parade and service.

Harleston branch secretary Terry Pegg said: “We are delighted this year to welcome a Deputy Lieutenant of Norfolk to lead our parade.

“Bryony Falkus has also served in various voluntary roles, including chairman of City College Norwich and on the board of an academy trust.

“She was also a lay member of the Chapter of Norwich Cathedral for six years and continues to do voluntary work at the cathedral. She loves foreign travel and also the beaches and big skies of Norfolk.

“Representatives from more than 40 organisations will be invited to lay wreaths at the war memorial, including the Lord Lieutenant, representatives of Redenhall with Harleston Town Council, the Royal British Legion and branches of the military and other service organisations and groups.

Framlingham will host a two-minute silence by the cenotaph in the grounds of the Church of St Michael the Archangel tomorrow at 11am.

On Sunday, a parade will assemble at 10.30am in New Road, marching through the town via Bridge Street, Market Hill, Church Street and into the churchyard.

Eye will hold a small service at the war memorial on Saturday at 11am.