Veterans, service personnel and members of the public gathered together today for the opening of the Royal Wootton Bassett Field of Remembrance in the walled garden at Lydiard Park.
Following the exhortation given by the Royal British Legion's National Vice Chairman, John Crisford there was the familiar reading from For The Fallen by Laurence Binyon - They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them. The 18th century garden fell silent.
Accompanying music for the ceremony was provided by the British Imperial Military Band and the ladies of the Military Wives Choir from the Shrivenham Defence Academy who sang the title track from their recently released album Stronger Together.
The Field of Remembrance will be open to visitors daily from 9am - 4pm, closing on Sunday November 18.
And after the poignancy of the Remembrance Service came an unexpected interlude of joyful exuberance. Crowds gathered at the front of Lydiard House where the ladies of the Military Wives Choir shed their coats and braved the elements to sing again while Strictly Come Dancing stars Anton du Beke and Kristina Rihanoff danced.
Afghanistan - Roll of Honour 2012
Medic Channing Day 25, was serving with 3 Medical Regiment when she was killed whilst on patrol in the Nahr-e-Saraj district of Helmand Province last month.
The Military Wives Choir singing Stronger Together, the title track from their latest album.
Strictly Come Dancing stars Anton du Beke and Kristina Rihanoff.
