VIDEO: Garden of Remembrance service in Worthing

W45708H13 Opening of Worthing Garden of Remembrance

EX-SERVICEMEN and members of the public stood side by side as a Garden of Remembrance was opened at a service held outside Worthing Town Hall this morning.

Poppy wreaths were hung from crosses to honour those who had lost their lives while serving in the armed forces.

Worthing mayor Bob Smytherman said: “I think it is really incredible actually. It is really important that as a town we come together. It is so moving to see people just stop and pause on a busy Monday morning.”

On Sunday, Mr Smytherman attended a memorial service at Brookwood Cemetery - the largest cemetery in the UK - with Worthing’s Italian Community. He said: “It was just beautiful. It was so moving and it was nice to be part of their experience.”

During Monday’s ceremony the Reverend Brian Penfold read out prayers including the Ode of Remembrance.

Speaking at the service, Cllr Tom Wye MBE said: “It provides a focus for the town. A lot of those names still have relatives here and it is an opportunity for them to pay their respects.”

He said he is currently working on a project to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the deaths of each name on the Worthing war memorial outside the Town Hall.

Ex-Royal Navy Leading Hand, Dave Robinson, 66, added: “I lost friends in the Falklands so I am paying respects to them and my father and uncles. Most families have lost someone or other and now with Afghanistan people are losing friends and relatives there.”

A remembrance day service will take place outside the Town Hall at 11am on Monday.