We Will Remember Them, the poignant words from the poem ‘The Fallen’ were read out across the Island as thousands of people paid tribute at Remembrance ceremonies on Sunday.

Towns, villages and communities came to a standstill at 11am and, later in the afternoon in some cases, as the Island’s war dead were honoured.

In Newport, Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Brigadier Maurice Sheen, IW Council Chairman, Ian Dore, High Sheriff, Jacques Gazzard, and IW West MP, Richard Quigley, led the wreath-laying.

Afterwards, there was a ride-out from Royal British Legion motorbikes, as well as the Vectis Corps of Drums leading a parade around the town centre with crowds lining the streets.

Around 2,000 knitted poppies were spread around Ventnor thanks to a community effort which started in September. Deputy Mayor, Steph Toogood, said: “I thought we would get to 500 but I never dreamed we could do this many; I think the Island has run out of red wool!

“So many people came forward to help us and we had works parties at places like the Well-being Café and St Catherine’s Church kitchen.”

A Church service in St Catherine’s was held at 2pm before the wreath-laying at 3pm. That was attended by IW Deputy Lieutenant, Andrew Watt, High Sheriff, Jacques Gazzard, and IW East MP, Joe Robertson.

In Cowes, after the act of remembrance, attendees moved to the nearby St Mary the Virgin Church, on Church Road, for a service. The commemorations concluded with the parade marching to the seafront, where town mayor, Cllr Stuart Ellis, supported by local dignitaries, took the salute and inspected the parade during the ceremonial march past.

Around 400 people attended a service in Ryde School, led by Rev Heath Monaghan, after which there was a parade down to Lind Street, for the Act of Remembrance, led by Rev David Morgan, and attended by Deputy Lieutenant, Nick England, IW East MP, Joe Robertson, IW Council leader, Phil Jordan, and Ryde Mayor, Cllr Diana Conyers.

The main West Wight service this year was held in Yarmouth, with Deputy Lieutenant, Graham Biss, leading the wreath-laying along with the Mayor, Debbie McCleary, and IW Councillors, Becca Cameron and Peter Spink. The parade marshall was Andrew Usborne, while a service, led by Rev Mark Pullinger, was held at St James’ Church. Joanne Henderson from Yarmouth RNLI was the bugler.

Our moving front page picture shows 100-year-old veteran, Alec Penstone, saluting the war memorial at Bembridge on Sunday. Alec made headlines this week for comments he made on national TV. The IW Observer caught up with him this week to discuss what he said. Read our article here.