By KLTV Newsdesk –

Communities come together to honour those who served and sacrificed

Communities across Kirklees will come together this weekend to pay tribute to those who gave their lives in service to their country, with Remembrance Sunday parades and services taking place throughout the borough on Sunday 9 November 2025.

Two official Civic Parades, organised by Kirklees Council, will be held in Huddersfield and Dewsbury, while a wide range of local parades, church services and community events will also take place in towns and villages across the borough.

‘A time to remember and reflect’

The Mayor of Kirklees, Councillor Liz Smaje, encouraged everyone in the borough to take part and pause for reflection.

“In towns and villages around the country people of all ages come together in November to remember those whose lives have been changed through armed conflict throughout our long and proud history,” she said.

“Remembrance is not solely about looking back. It is also about recognising the legacy of those who served and asking ourselves how we can carry that legacy forward. It is about teaching our children not only the history of war, but the importance of peace.

“This year, I invite everyone in Kirklees to take a moment, not only to remember, but to reflect on what remembrance means in our lives today.”

Civic Services in Huddersfield and Dewsbury

Huddersfield

In Huddersfield, activities will begin with a parade from Huddersfield Town Hall at 10.30 am, reaching the Huddersfield Parish Church for the Service of Remembrance at 10.50 am.

After the service, the parade will re-form at around 11.40 am to return to the Town Hall, where the Mayor of Kirklees will address the parade on Ramsden Street.

Dewsbury

In Dewsbury, the Service of Remembrance will be held at Dewsbury Minster at 9.45 am, with the parade leaving Dewsbury Town Hall at 9.35 am.

After the service, the parade will re-form and make its way to the Memorial Gardens on Longcauseway for a wreath-laying ceremony, where the Deputy Mayor of Kirklees will give an address.

Remembrance Events Across Kirklees

Batley and Birstall

The Batley branch of the Royal British Legion will hold its annual parade, meeting at Batley Town Hall at 10 am, stepping off at 10.20 am, with a service in the Memorial Park at 11 am.

In Birstall, the parade will form up next to the library at 1.45 pm and march towards St Peter’s Church for the afternoon service.

Both events will feature opportunities for personal wreath and cross laying, with crosses available from Legion members before each service.

Meltham

Meltham’s Remembrance Day parade and service will begin at 10.30 am, leaving the Carlile Institute, led by the Meltham & Meltham Mills Band.

A short service will take place outside St Bartholomew’s Church at 10.45 am, including the Last Post and a two-minute silence at 11 am.

The service will be led by the Reverend John Dracup, with the roll of honour read by the Mayor of Meltham, Councillor Ann Jurczyszyn.

Lindley

An outdoor Remembrance service will be held at Lindley Community Garden on Lidget Street at 12 noon, organised by Lindley Community Group, Lindley Methodist Church, and St Stephen’s Church.

Members of the Royal Air Forces Association will attend, alongside local schools, community groups and veterans.

The Lindley War Memorial, installed in 2019, will be the focus of the event.

Mirfield

Mirfield’s Remembrance Parade, one of the largest in the UK outside London, will form up on Lowlands Road (by Lidl) from 1.30 pm, before marching to Ings Grove Park for a service at 2 pm.

Residents are encouraged to line the high street early to support those taking part, including cadets, scouts, and guides.

An Armistice Day service will also be held at Ings Grove Park on Tuesday, 11 November at 11 am, with attendees asked to gather from 10.30 am.

Cleckheaton

Cleckheaton will host two events across the Remembrance weekend.

On Friday, 7 November, a School Parade will take place in Cleckheaton Memorial Park, starting at 10.30 am with pupils from local schools taking part in a short service and wreath-laying led by dignitaries including Colonel Stephen Boardman MBE DL, Kim Leadbeater MP, and Baroness Pinnock.

On Sunday, 9 November, the main parade will form up next to the Town Hall at 2.15 pm, marching off at 2.45 pm to the Memorial Park for a short service and wreath-laying, accompanied by the Emley Brass Band.

Slaithwaite

In Slaithwaite, the day begins with a service at St James’s Church at 10 am, followed by a parade through the village to the Cenotaph on Lewisham Road for the Act of Remembrance.

In the afternoon, the Slaithwaite Band will host a Remembrance Day concert at the Bandroom from 2 pm (doors open 1 pm).

Entry is free, with donations collected in aid of veterans’ charities.

Denby Dale

On Saturday 8 November, St Nicholas’ Church will host a special community event organised by the Cumberworth Community Association and the Great Graveyard Reclamation Project, featuring a knitted poppy trail, local displays, refreshments, and a raffle to raise funds for the graveyard project.

On Sunday 9 November, Denby Dale Methodist Church will hold its annual remembrance service from 10 am.

Kirkburton

The Remembrance Service at All Hallows’ Church, Kirkburton, will begin at 10.30 am, followed by a procession to the War Memorial at 10.45 am, and a return to the church at 11.10 am for a short concluding service.

Skelmanthorpe

St Aidan’s Church in Skelmanthorpe will hold a service at 10.50 am, featuring a performance by the Skelmanthorpe Band and an Act of Remembrance at the village War Memorial, honouring the 41 men from Skelmanthorpe and all those Britons who lost their lives in the two World Wars and further conflicts.

Kirkheaton

Two morning services will be held in Kirkheaton at 10.45 am, one at the United Church (with local Cubs and Squirrels parading), and another at Kirkheaton Parish Church.

A Thanksgiving Remembrance Service for those who have passed away in the last year will follow at 3 pm at the Parish Church.

A Borough United in Remembrance

From the largest parades to the smallest church gatherings, people across Kirklees will unite in reflection, gratitude and pride.

Each event offers residents a chance not only to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, but also to renew the shared commitment to peace for future generations.