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Ashford Borough Council invites all residents to join the community in marking Remembrance Sunday on Sunday, November 9, 2025, with solemn services held at both Ashford’s Memorial Gardens and the Tenterden War Memorial.
Ashford Services
Memorial Gardens Main Service
The main service, organised by The Royal British Legion, will be held at Ashford’s Memorial Gardens. The Mayor of Ashford, Councillor Lyn Suddards, and other dignitaries will be in attendance to honour veterans and the fallen.
Key Timings at the Memorial Gardens:
- 10:50 a.m.: Parade called to attention.
- 10:58 a.m.: The Last Post.
- 11:00 a.m.: The traditional Two Minutes Silence.
- 11:02 a.m.: Reveille and The Kohima Epitaph.
- 11:04 a.m.: Laying of wreaths, followed by the main service.
For Attendees: The gardens will be open to the public from 10:00 a.m. Please aim to arrive at least ten minutes before the service begins. For the best view, attendees are advised to congregate in the lower section of the gardens. Please Note: Public access to the inner Garden of Remembrance will be restricted during the official service. However, the area will reopen immediately after the service for members of the public who wish to lay their own wreaths or crosses.
St Mary the Virgin Church Service
An earlier, special Remembrance Sunday service will be held at St Mary the Virgin Church in the town centre at 9:30 a.m. This service will feature hymns, prayers, and music with the organ and choir. It is timed to finish with enough time for attendees to walk the short distance to the Memorial Gardens for the main 10:50 a.m. service.
Tenterden Service
The Tenterden community will also gather to pay their respects with a parade and service.
- Parade: Starts at 10:30 a.m. from Recreation Ground Road.
- Service: Begins at 10:50 a.m. at the Tenterden War Memorial. It will include the reading of names on the memorial and the laying of wreaths, concluding at 11:25 a.m.
- Parade Return: The parade will return to Church Road for dismissal.
Road Closure Notice
Residents should note that the A28 from Recreation Ground Road to the junction at West Cross will be closed to vehicles between 10:25 a.m. and 11:40 a.m. for the safety of the parade.
Logistics and Accessibility
Ashford Parking: Free parking will be available for all attendees at Elwick Road Car Park (TN23 1LH) from 8:00 a.m. This location is just a short walk from the Memorial Gardens via Church Road.If you would like to support this year’s Poppy Appeal, you can buy a poppy from International House or visit Ashford’s Royal British Legion office on Church Road (TN23 1RA).
For more on the history and importance of Remembrance visit www.ashford.gov.uk/remembrance-day