Two-Minute Silence Observed By Many In Guildford High Street

Published on: 11 Nov, 2014
Updated on: 11 Nov, 2014

The two-minute silence to honour those killed in conflict since the First World War was observed by a large crowd outside Guildford’s Guildhall on Tuesday morning (November 11).

The Mayor of Guildford, David Elms, joined veterans, cadets and guests to mark Armistice Day inside the Guildhall ahead of the two-minute silence at 11am.

The two-minute silence was led from the balcony of the Guildhall.

The silence was led from the balcony of the Guildford by the mayor’s chaplain, the Revd Hugh Grear, rector of St Mary’s Church, Worplesdon. Standing on the balcony was the leader of Guildford Borough Council, Cllr Stephen Mansbridge, and managing director, Sue Sturgeon. Also present was Colonel Patrick Crowley

Bugler Simon Persin sounds Last Post.

The exhortation was read before the silence by Bill Wallis, a local veteran and member of the Royal Air Force Association. Bugler Simon Persin sounded Last Post.

The Guildhall clock at 11am. The two-minute silence had started just prior to time on the clock.

A maroon, fired from Guildford Castle to mark the beginning of the two-minute silence was slightly ahead of time (according to the Guildhall clock) and therefore boomed around the High Street before the Revd Grear had finished his opening welcome.

Everyone then fell silent until the maroon sounded again two minutes later. A cadet from the Royal Grammar School Combined Cadet Force then read the Kohima Epitaph.

The crowd gathered in the High Street.

Although those who had specifically gathered to the High Street for the two-minute silence remained still to hear the Revd Grear’s closing words, others in the High Street who had stopped for the silence, began to make their way up and down the High Street as soon as the second maroon had sounded. Many must have realised the ceremony was continuing, but did not seem to want to stop to hear the reverend’s words.

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