Liverpool City Council’s annual Remembrance Service will take place on Sunday 9 November on the plateau at St George’s Hall, bringing the city together to remember those who served, those still serving, and those who gave their lives in conflict.
This year’s service carries special significance as it marks the 80th anniversaries of Victory in Europe (VE) Day and Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, commemorating the end of the Second World War in both Europe and the Far East.
The morning will feature performances from The Band of The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment and The Pipes and Drums of The Liverpool Scottish Regimental Association, who will play from 10.40am ahead of the service. Musical contributions will also come from the Liverpool Gospel Choir, PopVox Choir, St Edward’s College Senior Choir, and Liverpool mezzo-soprano Danielle Louise Thomas.
Among those taking part is John Dennett, a 101-year-old Royal Navy veteran and D-Day gunner, who is expected to lay a wreath during the ceremony.
The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine will also be recognised for its vital work with Far East prisoners of war. Images from their archives will be displayed during the service, with insights provided by Professor Geoff Gill.
At 11.00am, a field gun will be fired by 208 Battery, 103 Regiment Royal Artillery to signal the start of a two-minute silence, followed by a second firing at 11.02am. The traditional wreath-laying ceremony will follow, led by civic, military and religious representatives, before the parade marches from St George’s Plateau to salute the Cenotaph.
In the lead-up to the event, a new Lego poppy artwork created by Neil Walker, a talented Lego architect from Liverpool City Council’s Crematoria team, will go on display in the Heritage Area of St George’s Hall. The piece, designed to commemorate Victory in Japan, will later move to the Hall of Remembrance at Liverpool Town Hall following the service.
To mark the Remembrance weekend, the Town Hall, St George’s Hall, and Cunard Building will be illuminated in red from Friday 7 November to Sunday 9 November. Large poppies will also adorn the Town Hall balcony and the Bombed-Out Church, which will be open to the public on Sunday 9 November.
Road Closures
To ensure public safety, the following road closures will be in effect on Sunday 9 November:
- William Brown Street (Byrom Street) – 7:00am–1:00pm
- London Road (Seymour Street–Lime Street) – 9:30am–1:00pm
- Commutation Row (Islington–Lime Street) – 9:30am–1:00pm
- Islington (Fraser Street–Commutation Row) – 9:30am–1:00pm
- Lime Street (London Road–Copperas Hill) – 9:30am–1:00pm
- St John’s Lane and St George’s Place (Old Haymarket–Lime Street) – 9:30am–1:00pm
- Skelhorne Street (Bolton Street–Lime Street) – 9:30am–1:00pm
- Queens Square Bus Station – closed 9:30am–1:00pm
Access to the Holiday Inn Hotel and St John’s Car Park will be maintained via the Elliot Street / Lime Street junction. All closures will be clearly signed and stewarded, and will remain in place only for as long as necessary.
Members of the public are encouraged to attend and are advised to arrive early.
