On Sunday 8th November, Shrewton will once again come together for our annual Remembrance Day Parade.
For a short time that morning, traffic will pause as the parade, led by the Shrewton Silver Band, makes its way from the Sports and Social Club to St Mary’s Church, before returning following the Remembrance service.
Yes, there will be temporary road closures.
And yes, they may cause a short inconvenience.
But perhaps this is one of those occasions when it is worth taking a moment to remember why we are stopping.
Remembrance is not simply about a parade, a band, a church service or standing silently for two minutes.
It is about honouring those who gave their lives so that future generations could have the freedom to live theirs.
It is about remembering the people who left their homes, families and communities and never returned. Those who served knowing that they might not come home. Those who carried the physical and mental consequences of their service for the rest of their lives.
And it is about recognising that, in a village like ours, this is not some distant piece of history.
Many people in our community, past and present, have served in our Armed Forces. Some made the ultimate sacrifice. Others gave years of their lives in service to their country. Their contribution helped give the rest of us the opportunity to live the lives we have today.
So, for approximately 25 minutes in total, across two short periods, our roads will stop.
It is a small pause in our day.
But it represents something far greater.
A moment to stop.
A moment to remember.
A moment to show that the sacrifices made by so many people – including people from communities just like ours – are not forgotten.
Because while most of us will only be asked to wait a few extra minutes on a Sunday morning, many of those we remember gave up far more than a few minutes of their time.
They gave their service.
Some gave their health.
Some gave their futures.
And some gave their lives.
But Remembrance is not only about those who served in the past. It is also about recognising and honouring those who continue to serve today – including members of our own community, who still put themselves forward to protect and serve our country.
They too give their time.
They too make sacrifices.
And their families make sacrifices alongside them.
For me, that is what this parade symbolises: remembering those who gave everything, honouring those who gave so much, and showing our respect for those who continue to serve today.
That is what the parade symbolises, at least to me.
OFFICIAL TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE NOTICE
Shrewton Parish Council has applied to Wiltshire Council for permission to temporarily close Maddington Street (A360) and Shrewton High Street (B3086), under the Town Police Clauses Act 1847, to allow a Remembrance Day Parade to take place on Sunday 8th November 2026.
The closures will be in place between 10.40am and 11.05am on the outward journey, and approximately 11.50am and 12.05pm on the return journey.
The parade will form up at 10.30am at Shrewton Sports and Social Club. Led by the Shrewton Silver Band, the parade will march from there at 10.40am to St Mary’s Church, Shrewton, arriving at approximately 10.50am.
After the Remembrance Day service, the parade will reform outside the church at approximately 11.50am and march back to the Sports and Social Club, arriving at approximately 12.05pm.
Maddington Street will be closed between the Sports and Social Club and the mini-roundabout for approximately five minutes on both parts of the parade while the march passes.
Shrewton High Street will be fully closed on both parts of the parade while the march is in progress. After the parade has arrived at the church, it will remain fully closed between Furlong Way and London Road until 11.05am.
Due to the short duration of the closures and the low volume of traffic expected on this quiet mid-winter Sunday, traffic diversions are not considered necessary.
This Remembrance Day Parade has been held in a similar format for many years, and no objections have previously been raised.
However, if you do have any objections to this application, they should be submitted by 1st October 2026 to:
The Traffic Orders Team
Sustainable Transport Group
Wiltshire Council
Bythesea Road
Trowbridge
BA14 8JN
Or by email to trafficorders@wiltshire.gov.uk
Please note: Any objections must include the name and address of the objector, or they will not be considered. Objectors have the right to request, under the Data Protection Act 1998, that their name and address be withheld from public inspection or inclusion in any published report.
Please join us in remembering them. Lest we forget.
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