St Helens Borough to come together for Remembrance Sunday

Article date: 20 October 2026

A number of Remembrance Sunday services will take place across the borough, giving residents the opportunity to pay their respects and honour all those who have served their country.

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 representatives from local cadet, Scout and Guide groups, 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, before the laying of wreaths and planting of crosses.

After the ceremony, attendees are invited into St Helens Town Hall to view an exhibition by St Helens Borough Council's Archive Service, featuring historical materials, with light refreshments also 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.

Field Guns will fire blank rounds at 11:00am to mark the start of the two-minute silence.

Councillor George Woodward, Leader of St Helens Borough Council, said: 

"Remembrance Sunday is an important opportunity for communities across St Helens Borough to come together and pay tribute to the servicemen and women who made the ultimate sacrifice, while also recognising all those who have served and continue to serve our country.

"I would encourage residents to join one of the services taking place across the borough as we stand together in remembrance and ensure their courage, service and sacrifice are never forgotten."

In a joint statement, Councillor Tony Devanny and Councillor Victor Floyd, St Helens Borough Council's Armed Forces Champions and veterans with almost 30 years of combined service in the British Army and Royal Navy respectively, said:

"For us, Remembrance is about remembering those who came before us, those who never came home, and those who lived with the physical and mental scars of service. 

"It is also about recognising the families who bore their own burdens while loved ones were away serving. 

"When we see people from across our communities gathering at memorials and services each year, it reminds us that the sacrifices made in the service of our country are still respected, valued and remembered."

Additional Remembrance Sunday services

Further 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 and refreshments at Rainhill Ex-Services Club.
• Rainford: All Saints Church, 10:30am, with a parade from the Village Hall starting at 10:00am.
• Haydock: Vista Road Remembrance Garden, with attendees asked to arrive at 2:45pm for a 3:00pm start.
• Eccleston: Eccleston War Memorial, Burrows Lane, with wreath laying at 11:00am.

Armistice Day services will also be held on Wednesday 11 November at the Cenotaph in Victoria Square, as well as at Earlestown and Crank war memorials.

To find out more about the support available to members of the Armed Forces community in St Helens Borough, visit: https://www.sthelens.gov.uk/armedforces