The Mayor of Harrow has laid wreaths on the borough’s war memorials to honour fallen soldiers and mark the launch of this year’s Poppy Appeal.
Next month’s Remembrance Day Parade will be the final one held at the former Civic Centre, which is undergoing development.
The Royal British Legion, which helps ex service personnel and their dependents, launched its annual Poppy Appeal today (October 26) with a new plastic free poppy.
The launch marks the start of the national period of remembrance when the nation reflects on the service of the Armed Forces.
Harrow’s Mayor, Cllr Ramji Chauhan, laid wreaths across all ten war memorials within the borough and is encouraging residents to “wear the Poppy with pride”.
“The British Legion said the first change to the Poppy in 28 years will be “less impactful on the environment”.
Cllr Chauhan said: “The sacrifices made by the brave men and women in our armed forces should never be forgotten. On Remembrance Sunday we will remember our veterans, serving, ex-serving personnel and those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect many of our freedoms we enjoy today.”
He added: “This year our Remembrance Sunday parade and service is a very special one. It’s the last time it will be held at the former Civic Centre site on Station Road. I encourage everyone to join me and dignitaries to pay your respects to our fallen heroes.”
For almost two decades, Harrow’s Remembrance Day Parade has been home to the second largest parade and service after the Cenotaph, according to Harrow Council.
This will be the last year that the parade finishes at the former Civic Centre as the site is set to be turned into flats, with the war memorial moving to a new location.
The memorial has been in its current location for 18 years. It was officially unveiled in 2005 by the Duke of Gloucester. Plans are currently taking place to move the 3.2m high spire and granite plinth to a new site just off Havelock Place in the town centre.
Remembrance Sunday will take place on Sunday November 12. Every year the parade sees thousands of people lining the streets to watch the armed forces, emergency services, faith and community groups take the route.
It starts from Katie’s statue in St Ann’s Road at 10am, before moving down Station Road and onto the former Civic Centre.
