THE sun shone down from a clear blue sky on Sunday as towns and villages marked the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month with services at churches and war memorials.

In Great Malvern, two services were held at the memorial in the grounds of the town library.

In the morning, a short ceremony preceded the twominute silence and laying of crosses, followed in the afternoon by the Royal British Legion service and parade and procession to Great Malvern Priory for a service of reflection. Councillor Paul Tuthill, Malvern Hills District Council chairman, said: “It was one of the biggest turnouts I have seen for the service in the priory.

“People are very interested in remembering our service personnel. The weather was wonderful as well, and the war memorial looked splendid with the sun shining on it.”

St James’s Church, in West Malvern was almost full for its service, during which Colonel (Ret’d) Ian Brazier gave a moving address.

There followed a ceremony at the war memorial in the churchyard.

The formalities were followed by a three-course meal and entertainment at the Royal British Legion Club in Lower Road.

Upton’s commemorations started with a parade led by the Upton Youth Band from the Memorial Hall to the parish church. The Royal British Legion standard was carried by Ken Follett, escorted by David Harris and David Newman, and there were more than 100 people on the parade aged from seven to 80.

The service was well attended and afterwards the parade marched to the memorial at the old church where 15 wreaths were laid.

John Mason, of Powick and Callow End RBL, said: “It went very well. At Powick, we had all the uniformed groups there, Scouts, Guides and so on, and it was the biggest turn-out we’ve had.

“We had another service at the church of St James, Callow End, in the afternoon, because Callow End people like to have a service at their own war memorial.”