More than 1,000 people gathered at the Vine on 8 November for Canon Angus MacLeay's last Remembrance service before he retires. See the parade pictures.

More than 1,000 people gathered at the Vine on Sunday 8 November for the Sevenoaks Remembrance Service and Parade. It was the first since the town’s war memorial was restored, and the last to be led by Revd Canon Angus MacLeay before he retires.

Sevenoaks Town Council gave the figure today. It said members of the public described the service as “beautiful” and “brilliant”.

Sea Cadets in navy uniform and white caps stand in line on the Vine, two of them playing bugles, while families watch from the grass
Sea Cadets on the Vine, two of them with bugles. Photo: supplied by Sevenoaks Town Council

Canon MacLeay’s last service

The Order of Service recognised Canon MacLeay’s 20 years of commitment, the council said.

Others who took part in the service:

  • Fr Piotr from St Thomas Church gave a reading
  • Sgt Engelbrecht recited the Kohima Prayer
  • the Eynsford Concert Band played
  • the Sea Cadets sounded the Last Post before the two-minute silence
A cadet in army uniform and a figure in red civic robes and a tricorn hat stand at the foot of the bronze soldier on the Vine War Memorial, watched by a crowd
A cadet and a figure in red civic robes at the foot of the Vine War Memorial. Photo: supplied by Sevenoaks Town Council

Who laid wreaths

The Mayor of Sevenoaks, Cllr Victoria Granville, laid the first wreath with the Mayor’s Cadet. Next came:

  • Lord Sackville, HM Deputy Lieutenant of Kent
  • Laura Trott MBE MP
  • Kent County Councillor Richard Streatfeild MBE

Representatives of more than 35 organisations and associations then laid a wreath each.

Cadets in naval, army and air force uniforms stand beside the war memorial as a cadet lays a poppy wreath on the gravel at its base, with a large crowd behind
A wreath laid at the base of the memorial, with cadets standing by. Photo: supplied by Sevenoaks Town Council

The parade to a restored memorial

Uniformed groups paraded to the memorial. They included:

  • Sevenoaks Sea Cadets
  • the Air Training Corps
  • the Army Cadet Force
  • Sevenoaks Guides
  • Sevenoaks District Scout Council

The bronze soldier on top of the memorial was cleaned, repatinated and sealed this autumn by the conservation firm Antique Bronze, which the council commissioned. Our report on the restoration has the before and after pictures.

Rows of people in dark coats, uniformed cadets and standard bearers face a robed minister at a microphone on the Vine, under autumn trees
The crowd and standard bearers face the service on the Vine. Photo: supplied by Sevenoaks Town Council

The Mayor said:

“Thank you to everyone involved in organising and leading the Sevenoaks Remembrance Service and Parade. It was a moving occasion, and it was wonderful to see such a fantastic turnout, with so many members of the community coming together in remembrance.

“It was particularly special this year to gather around the Vine War Memorial following the Town Council’s recent restoration, and to appreciate the excellent work that has been done to restore this monument for the community.”

Two cadets, one in RAF Air Cadet uniform, stand either side of the steps to the war memorial with a large crowd behindA figure in red civic robes walks with an army cadet along the road past a line of Guides, Scouts and standard bearers holding flags

2 photos, swipe or scroll. Photos: supplied by Sevenoaks Town Council

Knitted poppies on the Vine

In the weeks before the service, the town council asked volunteers to knit or crochet poppies. They were displayed near the war memorial along the Vine, and the council thanked everyone who made one.

A wide view of the Vine with the gazebo, speakers and standards beside the war memorial and a crowd lining the far side of the grassA large crowd stands across the Vine in low autumn sunshine, with standards raised at the right

2 photos, swipe or scroll. Photos: supplied by Sevenoaks Town Council

Armistice Day service on Wednesday

The town council holds its Armistice Day Service at Greatness Cemetery, Seal Road, on Wednesday 11 November at 10.45am, and everyone is invited. The Mayor will lay crosses on the war graves. Fr Robin Jones from St John the Baptist Church will lead prayers in remembrance of the fallen. Details are on the town council’s event page.

Services elsewhere in the district are in our Remembrance guide for Sevenoaks.

The restored bronze soldier on the Vine War Memorial, with poppy wreaths laid in rows along the base
Poppy wreaths at the foot of the restored Vine War Memorial. Photo: supplied by Sevenoaks Town Council