BASINGSTOKE’S war memorial will be at the centre of the borough’s events to mark Remembrance Sunday this weekend.

On Sunday, the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, Councillor Roger Gardiner will be holding his Remembrance Sunday Service at the war memorial, in the council offices.

The service, which will commence at 11am, will be led by Reverend Karen Wellman from St Michael’s Church, in Basingstoke, who was chosen as the Mayor’s chaplain.

Cllr Roger Gardiner will lay a wreath on behalf of the borough, followed by wreaths laid by representatives of other organisations, as well as anyone wanting to place their own individual tribute on the memorial.

In addition, space will be available near the memorial where people can also add their own poppy crosses in remembrance of relatives or friends.

Crosses will be available to buy from the Royal British Legion at the event.

As well as the Sunday service, on Tuesday, a bugler will mark the observance of a two-minute silence for Remembrance Day at 11am.

Following the two-minute silence, the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane and the chief executive of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Tony Curtis, will lay wreaths on behalf of all councillors and staff at the local authority on the war memorial.

The Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, Cllr Roger Gardiner, said: “With this year marking 100 years since the start of World War 1 it is even more poignant that we remember the sacrifices made by our armed forces in order that future generations are able to live in peace and freedom.”

For more information on how the council is making the centenary of the First World War visit basingstoke.gov.uk/go/ww1.