VIDEO & GALLERY: St Ives remembers those who fought and died for country

St Ives Rememberance Day Parade (Image: Archant)

The town centre fell silent for two minutes at 11am on Remembrance Sunday (November 10) and again on Armistice Day (Monday).

More than 1,000 people centred on the war memorial in Market Hill for the Remembrance Day ceremony led by the Royal British Legion (RBL) and St Ives mayor Councillor Nick Dibben. Before the ceremony, members of the RBL marched through the town.

On the frosty morning, a few young children were overcome by the cold and were taken to the Town Hall to warm up.

County councillor Kevin Reynolds laid a wreath on behalf of Cambridgeshire County Council, with Councillor Alan Mackender-Lawrence also paying his respects.

RAF Wyton station commander Wing Commander Mike Brown, Lieutenant Colonel Cornell Burgess from USAF Alconbury, and representatives from Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, Cambridgeshire police, St John Ambulance also laid wreaths.

Cadets from the Air Training Corps 2331 (St Ives) Squadron, St Ives Army Cadet Force Detachment, Sea Scouts, Marine Scouts, Girls Venture Corps, Guides, Brownies, Cubs and St Ives Youth Council also marked their respect with wreaths.

On Monday, about 100 people attended an Armistice ceremony that saw the market come to a halt.

Alan Scott, St Ives RBL branch secretary, told The Hunts Post: “It was nice to see so many people out in support, especially with the 100 year anniversary of the start of World War One next year.

“It was especially pleasing to see so many young people there as without their interest, this will not survive.”

He added: “On Monday the Royal British Legion held an Armistice ceremony which the Royal Air Force Association attended and the whole market - the traders, shoppers, everybody - fell silent for two minutes. You could hear a pin drop. It was really impressive.”

Alison Melnyczuk, town clerk, said for the first time the parade was saluted by three serving members of the armed forces.