March turned out in force to remember the fallen for this year’s Remembrance Parade.
A hush fell over March town centre as crowds bowed their heads for two minutes silence at the memorial in the town centre.
Parade Marshal Major Nigel Spencer said: “I’d like to thank everyone who took part or supported the Remembrance Parade.
“There is a tremendous amount of work that goes into bringing this event together by many organisations and individuals some of whom have been supporting this event for years.
“My part is the easy bit, I do the shouting. I am especially pleased that each year more youth organisations ask to take part alongside our veterans, hopefully this will guarantee event in the future and will help the young to understand the significance Remembrance.
“I am always immensely impressed by the dress, turnout and bearing of all those who take part from the youngest to the oldest, everyone on parade gives their best.
“Sadly this will be the last time we have 42 Engineer Regiment on parade, because of cost cutting they are no longer permitted to participate in parades further than 10 miles from base.
“A loss but they have enhanced our parade for the last two years for which we are grateful.”
People from a host of local organisations joined the parade including police, Cambridgeshire highways, the British Red Cross, army and air scouts, Brownies, Guides and also March Brass 2000.
Major Spencer said: “Thanks to all those people who give up their time for free to run the organisations that take part.
“We should all feel extremely proud we have honoured our fallen and injured.”
Town Mayor councillor Rob Skoulding added: “It was a fantastic parade. Great to see the people of March turn out in such great numbers to support the occasion,”
There was also a popular 1940’s style tea dance with Back Two at the town hall with music and songs from the era.
The fund raising event included a raffle of artwork by artist Michelle Deyna-Hayward in aid of the Royal British Legions Poppy Appeal and also a raffle of a signed copy of local author Jon Lawrence’s novel The Pastoral, set in WW1. Jon was there on the day to sign further copies.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here