THIS year’s Remembrance Tide gets underway this week as communities across West Somerset prepare to hold services to remember all those who have given their lives to defend freedom during conflicts around the world.

A service of thanksgiving will be held at 12 noon in Wellington Square, Minehead, on Sunday (November 2).

Separately, an annual ‘Light a Life’ service will be held on Sunday in St Dubricius Church, Porlock, at 5 pm for an hour.

The special service is held every year to provide an opportunity for villagers to pray for those they love who have died, and to light a candle.

Minehead Royal British Legion (RBL) chairman Phillip Collins said he hoped as many people as possible would be able to turn out to support this year’s Remembrance services and events.

Remembrance Sunday, which this year is November 9, will see a 10 am service in St Andrew’s Church, Minehead, with the congregation stepping outside at 10.45 am for an outdoor service in the adjoining Wellington Square.

The legion will also conduct a service around Alcombe’s war memorial, in Manor Road, at 12 noon, on November 9, followed by one at Minehead War Memorial, in Martlett Road, at 3 pm.

Mr Collins said: “We used to have a parade from the old British Legion Club but it declined over the years and now we just have the service at the war memorial and the one in Wellington Square.”

Two minutes of silence will also be held on Armistice Day, Tuesday, November 11, at the Martlett Road war memorial.

A town council spokesperson said: “These occasions provide an important opportunity for our community to come together and honour those who have served and sacrificed for our country.

“The council wishes to express sincere thanks to the Royal British Legion, the Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club, and Revs Philip and Michelle Butcher, from Minehead parish, for their invaluable role in helping to organise and supporting these events.

“Their dedication ensures that our community can pay its respects in a meaningful and dignified way.

“We invite all residents and visitors to join us in remembrance and reflection as we honour those who gave so much for our freedom.”

In Williton, a Remembrance Day service will be held on Sunday, November 9, at the cenotaph in Williton War Memorial Recreation Ground.

Watchet will see a parade and service on November 9, while Porlock’s Armistice Day two-minute silence will be held at the village war memorial on November 11.

Members of Wiveliscombe RBL branch will meet in The Square, on November 9 for the annual horse-led Remembrance Day Parade starting at 10.20 am joined by the town band and local scouts, cubs, beavers, rainbows, brownies, firefighters, and others, making their way to St Andrew’s Church for wreaths to be laid at the war memorial outside, followed by a service inside at 10 45 am.

On November 11, legion members will gather in The Square from 10.50 am for a two-minute silence at 11 am, with 13-year-old trumpeter Elliot Coles playing The Last Post and Reveille.

They will then walk to the war memorial in the town’s recreation ground where wreaths will be laid and a talk with questions and answers will be given for children attending from both Wiveliscombe primary and Kingsmead academy schools.

Services of remembrance will also be held on November 9 in St Mary’s Church, Cannington, at 9.30 am, St Andrew’s Church, Stogursey, at 10.30 am, and St Mary Magdalene Church, Stockland, at 10.50 am.

In Kilve, a service of remembrance will be conducted in St Mary’s Church at 10.45 am on Armistice Day, while an Act of Remembrance will take place in Holford Village Hall at 10.50 am on November 9.

A remembrance service in St James’ Church, Halse, will start at the memorial at 10.50 am on November 9, while at 3 pm a service will be held in St James the Great Church, Fitzhead.

A Somerset-wide Festival of Remembrance commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two is being held at 7 pm on Saturday, November 1, in Wells Cathedral, with a special focus on honouring the contribution of people from the county.

It will feature music performed by the Central Band of the Royal British Legion and the Yeovilton Military Wives Choir.

On Friday (October 31) an official opening service takes place for the National Memorial Arboretum Field of Remembrance, in Staffordshire, which opens to the public at 10.45 am.

The field will be open until Sunday, November 16 from 10 am to 4 pm daily.