A SERVICE outside Winchester Cathedral opened the public garden of remembrance as created by one of the last living Royal Hampshire comrades.

The ceremony, led by the Canon Missioner Revd Dr Tess Kuin Lawton, opened the public garden of remembrance in front of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps War Memorial in the cathedral grounds.

Hampshire Chronicle:

To begin the proceedings, Revd Tess gave thanks to soldiers for their service before Steve Vaughan and Dave Mence from The Buglers Association of The Light Division & Rifles played The Last Post to mark two minutes of silence.

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Hampshire Chronicle:

Mr Mence said: “It’s an honour and a privilege.”

The Mayor of Winchester Cllr Derek Green, chairman of the Royal British Legion (RBL) Winchester branch Chris George and RBL Women’s Section Hampshire chairman Sue Butcher all laid remembrance crosses.

Hampshire Chronicle:

The new garden was created by 90-year-old Alan Rodbourne from Hursley, who is one of the last remaining comrades of the old Royal Hampshire regiment.

Hampshire Chronicle:

Cllr Green has been coordinating the Poppy Appeal in Winchester for the past 23 years and is hoping to hand out even more poppies than his predecessors. He said: “To open the garden as mayor was really special.”

Remembrance Day services will be held by the Guildhall on Friday, November 11 and at 10am on Sunday, November 13. Two minutes of silence will take place on both days at 11am.