towncouncil@diss.gov.uk

Diss Town Council and the Royal British Legion warmly invite the public to join this year’s Remembrance Sunday parade, wreath-laying ceremony, and church service in honour of our fallen heroes.

The Remembrance Parade will begin at Mere’s Mouth at approximately 2:15pm on Sunday 10th November. In a new arrangement this year, the wreath-laying ceremony will be held at Diss Market Place, allowing more space for public viewing and greater involvement from younger participants.

Why the Market Place?
This year’s decision to hold the wreath-laying ceremony at the Market Place was made for several key reasons:

• More Viewing Space: The      Market Place offers significantly more room for the public to observe the      ceremony without crowd congestion around the War Memorial, St Nicholas      Street and Mount Street.

• Inclusive for All Ages: The      larger area allows children and younger attendees to have a clearer view      of the ceremony, promoting greater engagement and understanding of      Remembrance Day.

• Improved Safety and Accessibility: With      its open layout, the Market Place ensures better crowd control and safer      movement for attendees, especially for those with mobility issues.

• Enhanced Experience: The      space allows for clearer visibility and improved acoustics, ensuring that      the ceremony can be heard and seen by everyone present, something that has      been difficult to achieve in the previous location.

The parade attracts over 35 different organisations, including the Salvation Army Band, standard and flag bearers, the Royal British Legion, members of the armed forces, air and army cadets, emergency services, youth groups, and various charities. After the parade, a short Drumhead service will be conducted in the Market Place, where representatives including the King’s representative, Deputy Lieutenant for Norfolk, Philippa Taylor and Adrian Ramsay MP will be invited to lay their wreaths at the drumhead altar.

The Drumhead Service dates back to the 1700s when regimental drums were used to create a makeshift altar on the battlefield for soldiers to reflect before or after combat. This tradition continues today, offering a time of remembrance for those who gave their lives.

Following the ceremony, everyone is invited to St Mary’s Church for a special remembrance service starting at 3pm. During this time, the wreaths will be moved to the War Memorial, where the event will conclude with a small dedication gathering after the church service.

This Remembrance event is organised by a committee led by Diss Town Council, with representatives from the Diss & District Royal British Legion, Salvation Army, St Mary’s Church, RAFA, and local cadet units. A spokesperson from the committee said “Moving the wreath-laying ceremony to the Market Place allows more people, including children and families, to take part in this important moment of remembrance. The additional space ensures better visibility, safety, and accessibility for everyone attending. We deeply respect that the War Memorial is a symbolic site for wreath-laying, which is why the wreaths will be relocated there after the ceremony to serve as a lasting tribute."

Diss Town Clerk, Sarah Villafuerte-Richards, encourages everyone to attend, saying, “We invite all members of the community to join us in honouring the sacrifices made by our servicemen and women to protect our freedom.”

Please note, for safety reasons, a temporary road closure will be in effect from 2pm to 3:30pm on Sunday 10th November. The closure will affect Mere Street, Market Place, St Nicholas Street, Mount Street (from Saracens Head to Market Place), and Market Hill.

Additionally, a minute’s silence will be observed at the Market Place on Monday 11th November at 11am, and the public is invited to attend this important tribute.

Diss Town Council has signed the Armed Forces Covenant, recognising the contributions of serving personnel, veterans, reservists, and military families. 

Find out more.