This weekend, Oakham will mark Remembrance Day on Sunday 12 November.

As local establishments prepare for the sombre celebrations, Oakham is reminded of the lives lost in World War I and the end of the four-year war that took place across Europe's eastern and western fronts.

Remembrance Sunday is the closest Sunday to 11 November, and marks the anniversary of the armistice signed by the Allies of World War I and Germany at Compiègne, France, at 5:45 am. 

All Saints' Church is also dressed up to mark the anniversary of the end of WWI. Image credit: Nub News.

This detailed the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front of World War I, which took effect at eleven in the morning - the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month" of 1918 - effectively marking the end of World War I. 

This anniversary is marked across the country each year, and is particularly poignant for Rutland, where there are many military personnel and veterans living and working.

With multiple military bases, and a long history of service, the county always marks the occasion with enthusiasm.

Rutland's Lord-Lieutenant, Dr Sarah Furness, will be kicking off celebrations with Rutland's Festival of Remembrance Concert at St George's Barracks.

Tickets cost £25 and all funds raised will go to the Royal British Legion.

Dr Sarah Furness will be leading celebrations at St George's Barracks in Rutland. Image credit: LDRS.

Organiser, the Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland, Dr Sarah Furness, said: "Join us at the second Rutland Festival of Remembrance Concert to support the Royal British Legion's annual Poppy Appeal. The event will follow a similar pattern to last year's very popular and successful event at Uppingham School. It will start with drinks and canapés, followed by an evening which will be a hybrid between the 'last night of the proms' and a concert.

"There will be moving performances from Rutland's schools, the Military Wives' Choir, the Rutland Ladies Choir and the Cadet Band. This event will take place at St George's Barracks in North Luffenham, LE15 8HG on Fri, Nov 10, 2023 at 19:00 GMT. Stepping behind 'the wire' is a privilege and it could be a last chance to visit St George's, which is due to close."

Poppies are the symbol of the annual event and The Royal British Legion. Image credit: Nub News.

On Armistice Day, Saturday 11 November, at 10.45am, there will be a short Service of Remembrance in the grounds of Oakham Castle, to mark the day when armistice was declared. This service will include a minute's silence at 11.00am. The service will be conducted by Venerable John Ellis CB, former Chaplain in Chief to the Royal Air Force, and representatives of local military units and veterans' organisations will be present. All members of the public are invited to attend.

On Saturday 11 November, at 7.30pm, All Saints' Church in Oakham will host the Rutland Concert Band, with a guest appearance by award winning soprano Katie Marshall. This annual Music for Remembrance event is a poignant way to mark the evening before Remembrance Day itself. The concert features a range of music with the central theme being Remembrance and all proceeds will be donated to the Poppy Appeal. Members of the public are encouraged to attend. Tickets costing £5 can be purchased upon arrival and refreshments are included. 

On Sunday 12 November, the County Service of Remembrance will take place at 2:30pm in All Saints' Church, Oakham. Starting at 2pm, military Units, Cadets, Scouts, Guides, voluntary organisations and Armed Forces veterans will parade to the Church, from Oakham Castle along the High Street. The church service will conclude with a Wreath Laying Ceremony, after which, the parade will march back to the Castle, with The Lord Lieutenant taking the Salute on Oakham High Street. All members of the public are warmly invited to attend the Service and should be seated in All Saints' Church by 2:15pm. 

Rutland County Council's Armed Forces Champion, Cllr David Wilby, said: "I hope that many of you can support this year's Poppy Appeal and attend some of the events taking place in Rutland to recognise the huge sacrifices made by so many during wars and conflicts on our behalf. As is so often said, they gave their Today for our Tomorrow."

Donate to The Royal British Legion at Oakham Fire Station on South Street. Image credit: Nub News.

Elsewhere in the county, local venues are hosting displays and events.

Throughout November, Oakham Fire Station will be home to a display of crocheted and knitted poppies in red and purple to mark the lives of military personnel and animals lost in the line of duty.

A Greetham pub is also getting set to mark Remembrance Sunday this weekend, and will be offering ex and serving military personnel a free pint with every Sunday lunch, as well as donating 20p from every pint of their guest ale to the British Legion.

On Sunday 12 November, the team at The Plough in Greetham will be welcoming local military personnel and veterans to join them for a free pint when they buy one of the pub's iconic Sunday lunches. 

They will also be donating 20p for every pint of their guest ale sold to The Royal British Legion. 

The Grainstore are also marking the annual day of remembrance by bringing back their 'poppy coloured' beer, First & Last throughout November.

Will you be popping down to try 'First & Last' at The Grainstore? Image credit: Rory Gibson (ex-brewer) and Mike Davies (co-founder).

Let us know what else you have going on to mark the anniversary of Armistice Day, or Remembrance Sunday, this weekend. Email [email protected] to get in touch.