Hundreds mark Remembrance Day across Luton, Houghton Regis and Barton-le-Clay
People from across the Luton area came together to honour fallen servicemen and women during Remembrance Sunday commemorations.
Hundreds came together to pay their respects in Luton town centre on Sunday (November 8), including members of the armed forces community, voluntary and community organisations, and councillors.
Luton South and South Bedfordshire MP Rachel Hopkins attended the service and laid a wreath in memory of those who lost their lives serving their country.
She said: “I was honoured to lay a wreath at Luton’s Remembrance Service on Sunday, joining members of our armed forces community, voluntary and community organisations, as well as local councillors and representatives to pay our respects.
“Our Luton community turned out in numbers, with people from all backgrounds coming together to remember those from our town, as well as across the UK and Commonwealth, who served and lost their lives for the freedoms we enjoy today.”
Luton North MP Sarah Owen was unable to attend the town centre service as she represented the UK Government in Belfast on Remembrance Sunday in her role as Minister for Northern Ireland.
She was represented in Luton North by Cllr Shahanara Naser at the Leagrave and Limbury Royal British Legion commemorations.
Ms Owen said: “Every year we remember and pay respect to those who gave their lives for our country and support the Royal British Legion’s crucial veterans’ support work."
She added: “I have worked closely with our local branch of the Royal British Legion recently, discussing community support for veterans through their veterans hub and paternity policy.”
Ms Owen also confirmed she would be attending a further commemoration in Stopsley on Wednesday, November 11, to mark Armistice Day.
In Houghton Regis the annual Service of Remembrance was held at All Saints’ Parish Church (November 8) followed by the Act of Remembrance at the Memorial Stone on the Village Green.
The services were officiated by Father Diego Galanzino, and wreaths were laid by the Deputy Lieutenant, Dr Joan Bailey, the Town Mayor, Councillor David Jones, representatives from Central Bedfordshire Council, Houghton Regis Town Council, local groups, organisations, and members of the community.
An Act of Remembrance will also be held on Wednesday (November 11) at 11am at the Memorial Stone, by the Village Green attendees are asked to gather from 10:45am, road closures will be in place from 10.45am – 11.15am, on the High Street.
In Barton-le-Clay, an Act of Remembrance took place at the War Memorial, Hexton Road on November 8, attended by uniformed groups and parishioners.
Organiser Owen Clark said: "The Act of Remembrance was very well attended by the village with people of all ages in attendance. The short ceremony was led by distinguished local resident David Cope."
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