Preston War Memorial Re-dedication
There will be a re-dedication ceremony of Preston’s War Memorial on Friday 13 June.
The rededication ceremony is being held on the 88th anniversary of the original unveiling of the Memorial.
The civic event is hosted by the Mayor of Preston, and will be attended by representatives of all the Armed Forces and Preston & District Veterans Council. The event will include a military parade and the ceremonial drums of the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment will be displayed in front of the Memorial.
New Mayor of Preston, Councillor Nick Pomfret, commented:
“This is one of my first engagements as Mayor and is an honour to host such an important and very special occasion.
“The rededication service is a poignant reminder of the sacrifice made by Prestonians, not only throughout the First World War, but during the many conflicts around the world since 1918.
“A rallying cry goes out to serving personnel, Veterans and their families to attend and pay their respects to those whose lives have been lost in conflict, at this unique event.”
At 12.45pm, the Colour Party and Guards from the 2nd Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment will march on to the Square led by the band of the King’s Division. The Ceremony will be introduced by the Mayor, who will also undertake the rededication. The Ceremony will also include a blessing by Father Timothy Lipscomb and a poem (written by John Bailey, a former regular and now serving Territorial Army solider) read by Lord Shuttleworth KCVO, Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire and wreaths laid by the Mayor, Armed Forces and Preston Veterans Representatives.
The service ends with the National Anthem played by the King’s Division Band.
Members of the public who wish to observe this service are more than welcome.
**PHOTO/MEDIA OPPORTUNITY**
MAYOR OF PRESTON, COUNCILLOR NICK POMFRET
REPRESENTATIVES FROM ARMED FORCES
Military band, service and wreath laying
NOTES TO NEWSDESK
- Full details of the re-dedication event can be found on the council’s website
- The Preston Remembers project began with the restoration of Preston’s War Memorial in 2013, as a fitting focus for the city’s commemorations of the Centenary of the First World War. The restoration and extension of the Memorial has enabled the City to add an inscription to commemorate all those Prestonians who have given their lives in service since 1945.
- More information on the Preston Remembers project can be found on the Preston Remembers website
- A profile of the new Mayor of Preston can also be found on the council’s website
- The poem read out by the Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire has been written by John Bailey and is titled Taking a Stand
- IF YOU USE THE ATTACHED IMAGE, PLEASE CREDIT ‘PRESTON REMEMBERS’
ENDS Media Enquiries, Angela Sinclair, Communications Officer, (01772) 906476