Local people are invited to play a part in the official dedication of the Congleton Cenotaph on Sunday 19th September. The dedication service will recognise the improved site that now contains just over 600 names and is a safer, more attractive and a fitting place for people to visit.
It is hoped that many local people will either join the parade to the cenotaph in Lawton Street or gather near the site of the cenotaph on the day to witness the dedication of the site.
The Parade will gather in West Street car park from 1.30pm ready to leave at 2.10pm. The parade is being led by the Rode Hall Silver Band with Gary Dolman from the Royal British Legion taking the role of Parade Sergeant. Local uniformed groups as well as representatives of the armed forces are expected to be in the parade and around 70 guests and sponsors will be attending as guests of the Partnership and Town Mayor.
The Service at the cenotaph site will start when the parade arrives around 2.30pm and is expected to finish at 3.12pm with a fly past from a Lancaster Bomber. The timing of the fly past changed on Friday 27th August, leading to a rapid reorganising of the event from a late morning to an early afternoon event.
Town Mayor, Councillor Denis Murphy said: “It is important that we remember and honour all the local people who have lost their lives whilst serving their country. I am delighted that we finally have a cenotaph site that does this, and I would like to thank everyone who has made this possible. The dedication to the previous site was held on the 11th November 1923. It is hoped that the plaques from that site will be available for viewing at the entrance to the Town Hall. We hope that local people will continue to come to this site to reflect and remember for many decades to come.”
Members of the public are welcome to turn up on the day to join in the parade. Any group or organisation that needs a copy of the risk assessment to join in the parade should contact Congleton Town Council on 01260 270350 ext 1. There will be a rolling road closure to ensure the safety of those in the parade and a full road closure of Lawton Street from 1pm – 4pm.
