Remembrance Sunday services to be held across St Helens Borough
A number of Remembrance Sunday services will be held across St Helens Borough on Sunday 9 November to honour the servicemen and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in conflicts throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.
Article date: 16 October 2025
As in previous years, residents are warmly invited to gather in Victoria Square, St Helens town centre, from 10:30am, where a parade led by Armed Forces veterans - joined by young representatives from the cadets, scouts, and guides -will proceed to the Cenotaph near St Helens Town Hall.
The ceremony will begin with a welcome and prayers, followed by a two-minute silence at 11:00am. The service will include readings from veterans, words of commemoration, and musical performances by Valley Brass Band and Haydock Male Voice Choir, culminating in the laying of wreaths and planting of crosses.
After the ceremony, attendees are invited to view an exhibition by the St Helens Borough Council Archive Service, featuring compelling historical materials inside St Helens Town Hall where light refreshments will be available.
In Newton-le-Willows, the focal point will be the war memorial at Earlestown Town Hall, with events beginning at 10:30am. A parade will be followed by a Service of Remembrance at the war memorial, then a church service at St John's Church, with refreshments served afterwards at Newton Function Room on Patterson Street.
The event will also feature performances by Haydock Brass Band, and two Field Guns will fire blank rounds to mark the start of the two-minute silence.
Councillor Keith Laird, Cabinet Member for People, Performance & IT, said:
"Eighty years on from the end of the Second World War, we continue to honour the courage and sacrifice of those who served and those who never returned. These services are a vital opportunity for communities in St Helens Borough to come together in remembrance and gratitude to honour all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country by defending our freedoms and protecting our way of life."
Councillor Lynn Clarke, St Helens Borough Council's Armed Forces Champion, added:
"Remembrance is a time for reflection, unity and support. We encourage everyone — especially veterans and their families — to attend local services and wear their poppies with pride. Every donation to the Poppy Appeal helps continue the great work of the Royal British Legion in supporting the Armed Forces community."
Additional services will take place across the borough:
- Rainhill
- St Ann's Church, 10:30am, followed by a procession to the War Memorial for wreath laying
- Rainford
- All Saints Church, 10:30am, with a parade from the Village Hall starting at 10:00am
- Haydock
- Vista Road Remembrance Garden, arrival at 2:45pm for a 3:00pm start
- Eccleston
Eccleston War Memorial, Burrows Lane, wreath laying at 11:00am
Armistice Day services will be held on Tuesday 11 November at the Cenotaph in Victoria Square, as well as the Earlestown and Crank war memorials.
Earlier commemorations will take place in Billinge on Friday 7 November at 10:30am, at the Remembrance Garden on Main Street, and at the junction of Rectory Road / Spindle Hill.
A Remembrance Concert, hosted by Valley Brass Band in partnership with St Helens Singers Choir and NW Veterans Corps of Drums, will take place at St Helens Town Hall on Friday 7 November at 7:00pm. Proceeds will support the Royal British Legion and the Mayor's Charity Appeal Fund.
For more information and to book tickets, visit: Remembrance Concert - Valley Brass Band
To support the Poppy Appeal, visit: www.britishlegion.org.uk