At 10.00 am Custos will ring the bell to signal the start of the service, which begins with the choir introit: ‘They shall not grow old as we who are left grow old, ’and continues with familiar music and readings. Shortly before 11.00 am the congregation joins the hundreds gathered outside in the Outer Close for the official two minutes’ silence at 11.00 am, allowing space to pause, breathe and reflect on the service and sacrifices the Armed Forces have made to preserve our democratic freedoms. Wreaths are laid at the War Memorial by dozens of local groups and associations, led by Admiral Iain Henderson, Vice-Lord Lieutenant, representing His Majesty the King.
The service is always very busy with many invited guests, military, veterans, uniformed organisations, schools and colleges, civic leaders and representatives of other faiths. Come early for a seat or join for the Act of Remembrance by the War Memorial outside, from 10.45 am.