Crowds Brave Wind and Rain for Penzance Remembrance Parade

Published On: 10 November 2025Last Updated: 10 November 2025By CornishStuff

Despite heavy rain and strong winds, people gathered in Penzance on Sunday 9th November to pay tribute to those who gave their lives in service.

Parade Through the Town

Organised by Penzance Council, the Remembrance Sunday event began with a civic parade led by Lieutenant Commander Simon Stevenson from RNAS Culdrose. Starting at the top of Chapel Street, the parade made its way to the War Memorial at Battery Rocks where a service was held.

Drummer Arthur Wright from Penzance Silver Band led the march’s beat, stepping in at the last minute after the band’s usual drummer broke his wrist.

📷Penzance Remembrance Sunday Parade and Service 2025. Photo by Penzance Council

Service at the War Memorial

The service was led by the Mayor’s chaplain Revd Derath Durkin, with prayers recited in Cornish by Judith Lawrence.

Those attending included the Mayor of Penzance, Stephen Reynolds, councillors from Penzance Council, local veterans, and representatives from groups such as the Royal British Legion Penzance Branch, Penzance Sea Cadets, Penzance Police, Penzance Fire Station Crew, St John Ambulance, 1st Penzance Brownies, and the Penzance Salvation Army.

Schools also took part, including Humphry Davy School, Mounts Bay Academy, St Mary’s C of E and Madron Daniel Schools. Members of the Penzance-Concarneau and Penzance-Cuxhaven Twinning Associations, Rotary Club of Penzance with Mounts Bay, and Penzance Lions Club also joined. Penzance Silver Band played during the laying of poppy wreaths at the memorial.

📷Penzance Remembrance Sunday Parade and Service 2025. Photo by Penzance Council

“A Solemn Occasion”

Thanking the large crowd gathered at the war memorial, Stephen said:

“This is a solemn occasion where we pay tribute to those who have died in past wars, but also one at which we hope for peace for the future. The silence that we observe today marks the guns falling silent in past wars. Let us hope that the guns remain silent for us and future generations.”

Penzance Council also thanked Town Crier Phil Northcott and Humphry Davy School music teacher Matt Street, who played The Last Post. Appreciation was shared for everyone who took part or attended despite the weather.

📷Mayor of Penzance Stephen Reynolds. Penzance Remembrance Sunday Parade and Service 2025. Photo by Penzance Council

Services Across the Parish

Remembrance Sunday Services were also held in Newlyn, Mousehole, Paul, Heamoor and Gulval to honour those from across the parish. Penzance Council extended thanks to all who helped organise or attended these events.