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Remembrance Sunday

November 8 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Reflect and Remember with a Military Parade, Church Service and Wreath Laying

Where: Banbury Town Centre / St Mary’s Church / People’s Park

In keeping with over 100 years of tradition, Banbury will once again be holding its treasured Remembrance Sunday event. The event will consist of a military parade through the Town Centre towards St Mary’s Church, where a special service will be held, in memory of those who fell in World War I, World War II and subsequent conflicts.

From there, parade members and guests alike will be invited to move onto People’s Park, where a wreath laying ceremony will be carried out at the war memorial.

What to Expect:

  • 10:15am – Remembrance Sunday parade: A military parade through the centre of town, featuring representatives from dozens of regiments and organisations. 
  • 10:45am – Church service at St Mary’s Church: Featuring poems, speeches and hymns in honour of those who have lost their lives to war.
  • 12:00pm – Wreath laying ceremony: The war memorial at People’s Park will play host to the annual wreath laying ceremony.

Visitor Guide

New to Banbury’s Remembrance Sunday event? Follow this guide to make the most of the event.

  • Getting Here – There are numerous public transport links to Banbury Town Hall, where the event will begin at 10:00am. The Town Hall’s postcode is OX16 5QB.
    • Bus – Banbury Town Hall is a short walk away from the Banbury Stagecoach Bus Station.
    • Train – Banbury Town Hall is a 5-10 minute walk away from Banbury Train Station.
    • Car – There are numerous nearby car parks that will be unaffected by the parade road closures, including The Light, Bolton Road Car Park, and Castle Quay Car Park.
  • Parade Form Up – The parade is one of the highlights of Banbury Remembrance Sunday. You will be able to find the parade forming up just outside the Town Hall from around 10:00am. This parade will disembark on its route towards St Mary’s Church from around 10:15am.
  • The parade will make its way up the High Street – This will go past Banbury Cross and along the road to St Mary’s Church. You can catch up with this parade at any point and will not be prevented from observing if you are late. However, space inside St Mary’s Church is limited and entry will not be permitted once the ceremony begins at around 10:45am.
  • St Mary’s Church Service – This service will commence at around 10:45am and is expected to last around 1 hour. This service will consist of readings, hymns, and prayers read by leading representatives of both St Mary’s Church and local military organisations.
  • Journey from St Mary’s Church to People’s Park – When the service concludes, participants will move from St Mary’s Church (Postcode OX16 0AA) to People’s Park (OX16 0AD), in time for the wreath laying ceremony to commence at 12:00pm.
  • Wreath Laying Ceremony – Beginning at 12:00pm, this will include the laying of wreaths by several organisations, the ‘Last Post’ and a silence.
  • Return to the Town Hall – After the ceremony at People’s Park, parade participants will return to Town Hall and the event will conclude.

Event FAQ’s:

Q: How much does this event cost to enter?
A: Like all Banbury Town Council events, Remembrance Sunday is completely free to enter.

Q: When and where does this event take place?
A: Banbury Remembrance Sunday takes place on Sunday 9th November outside Banbury Town Hall from 10:00am – 14:00.

Q: Who organises this event?
A: This civic event is organised and overseen by Banbury Town Council, with participation from numerous organisations including the British Army, the RAF, the Royal Navy, the Royal British Legion, the Banbury RAFA Club and others.

Q: Will there be food and drink at this event?
A: There will be no food and drink stalls at this event. There are however many cafes, pubs, and other eateries to visit throughout the town centre.

Q: Can I bring my dog to this event?
A: Well-behaved dogs are welcome to Banbury Town Council events provided that they are kept on a lead. However, they will not be permitted to enter St Mary’s Church for the service, and must not be left alone outside.

Q: Where can I donate to the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal?
A: There will be plenty of opportunities to donate to the Royal British Legion before, during, and after the event. There will be collection points across town, with poppies on sale at numerous businesses. You can also donate here: https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/donate

Q: Will I be able to buy a poppy from Banbury Town Hall?
A: Yes, Banbury Town Council will also have a station set up to allow the public to donate to the Royal British Legion and pick up a poppy and other RBL gifts.

Q: I missed the start of the event – will I still be allowed to take part?
A: You will be able to catch-up with the parade as it moves from Banbury Town Hall to St Mary’s Church, but once the church service has commenced (or all seats are filled) further entry will not be allowed. However, all visitors are welcome to attend the wreath laying at any time, so long as they remain quiet for the proceedings.

Q: I am a trader – can I trade at this event?
A: We do not accept traders at Banbury Remembrance Sunday. However, you are invited to email events@banbury.gov.uk if you are interested in trading at one of our other events.