Bedworth will continue its proud tradition of hosting the largest Armistice Day commemoration outside of London today. Known as the ‘Town that never forgets’, thousands flock to Bedworth for its huge parade and service.

This year is set to be no exception, although the crowds will notice some changes. Due to tragedies elsewhere in the country and also in Europe, where fast-moving vehicles have been driven into crowds, the Armistice committee decided to have concrete road blocks in place at key points.

In total there will be ten concrete blocks, paid for by Balfour Beatty, put in place along the parade route and cemetery in Coventry Road. and will provide the manpower to facilitate the road closures. But there is a more eye-catching feature for people to look out for.

The culmination of a project led by members of the Bedworth Bells Women’s Institute a huge 80ft poppy curtain proudly takes centre stage from the tower at All Saints Church. It features 15,000 handmade poppies as well as a special poppy that bears the name of local women honoured for their efforts in the war.

The proud parade will march past the church as it makes its way to the cemetery in Coventry Road for the service. The timings for the parade and service this morning are:

10am – Parade musters in Church Walk
10.35am -Civic Party and clergy depart from All Saints Church
10.35am – Parade marches off towards the cemetery
10.50am – Service starts at the cemetery in Coventry Road
11am Silence
11.30am – March past the Peace Podium on Sergeant Simon Valentine Way.

The route for the parade will be Church Walk to the Coventry Road cemetery via Mill Street and All Saints Square. Following the service, the parade will then move along Sergeant Simon Valentine Way to the Peace Podium where a salute will be taken.

Road closures

Due to the concrete blocks having to be installed, road closures around the town will be in place from 9.30am. The list of closures are:

Leicester Road – near the entrance to Tesco
Mill Street – near the entrance to Church Way
Sergeant Simon Valentine Way – from Corner Pin roundabout
Coventry Road – from the junction with Park Road to the cemetery entrance

CoventryLive will be at the event and we will be bringing a livestream of the parade and service on the Nuneaton News page on Facebook.