Diss falls silent to mark Remembrance
17 November 2022
On both Friday 11th and Sunday 13th November, Diss fell silent to pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom. A large crowd gathered in the Market Place just before 11am on the 11th for a short ceremony led by Revd John Cruse and attended by Standard Bearer, Mike Garnham, of the Royal British Legion, Richard Green of the Diss Salvation Army band who played the Last Post and civic dignitaries including the Town Mayor, councillor Eric Taylor, Keith Kiddie (County & District councillor) and Graham Minshull (District councillor). The market traders stopped trading to observe the two-minute silence with the event culminating in a rendition of God Save the King.
The sun shone as hundreds lined the streets from Mere’s Mouth up to the Market Place to watch the parade pass through the town on Remembrance Sunday. With representation from over 30 organisations including the Diss & District Angling Club and Rosedale Funeral Homes – new for 2022 - and a military jeep driven by David Hines, over 150 people led by the Town Clerk, Salvation Army band and Standard Bearers processed along Mere Street, saluting at Market Place to the civic dignitaries and up to the war memorial outside St Mary’s church.
The wreath-laying ceremony that followed included representatives from the Lieutenancy of Norfolk representing the King, local and central government including local MP Richard Bacon, the armed forces, emergency services, sports clubs, and charities. Two bio-degradable wreaths were laid for the first time this year on behalf of Rosedale Funeral Homes and Diss Town Council with donations made in lieu of wreath to the Royal British Legion. It is hoped that other organisations will follow suit next year to reduce plastic waste.
A Remembrance service was then held in St Marys church, led by the Revd Cruse.
Diss Town Council would like to thank everyone involved particularly the Diss branch of the Royal British Legion, St Mary’s Church, both the Army and Air Cadets, the Salvation Army band and volunteers from both Rotary Clubs for making this Remembrance Sunday a special one.
