HAVING attended Bromsgrove’s Remembrance Sunday event I cannot help but feel that the time is now here to change the format.

The rest of the country conduct their ceremonies in order to accommodate the act of remembrance at11am- in line with the main ceremony at the Cenotaph in London.

Bromsgrove’s act of remembrance can happen at any time between 11.30am and 12.30pm.

The current format starts with a parade through the High Street to St John’s Church, followed by a service and act of remembrance in the church, then a duplicate act of remembrance at thenewWarMemorial andBurmaStar Memorial.

This means that anyone not wishing to attend the church service can be waiting up to an hour outside, in the November cold, before being able to pay their respects.

I witnessed an elderly gentlemanwho had waited patiently for nearly an hour for the outside service to start, only for his taxi to arrive 10 minutes before the outside ceremony commenced.

Many others left because nobody knew when proceedings would commence.

Remembrance exists so that we can honour the brave people who made the ultimate sacrifice for this country - for some, that is not a religious undertaking.

It is a personal moment of reflection, to honour and remember.

Would it not now be more suitable for the Royal British Legion, Bromsgrove District Council and St John’s Church to get together and align the town’s ceremonyto take place at11amat the beautiful new Crown Close memorial?

Could the main road be closed for a short period so that all present can hear?

The people of Bromsgrove should have a defined and specific time and place to remember, aligned with the rest of the country.

Alison Muddiman, Tythe Barn Close, Bromsgrove