Respects paid at opening of field of Remembrance

Veterans and those remembering loved ones gathered to pay their respects in Swindon

People from across the UK have gathered to pay their respects to the fallen at the opening of a field of Remembrance.

A service and two minute silence was held to mark the opening of the Royal British Legion (RBL) site at Lydiard Park in Swindon on Wednesday.

More than 3,000 crosses and commemorative markers have been planted at the park, each carrying a personal message to someone who lost their life during service.

Peter Saunders, Poppy Appeal manager for Wiltshire, said the field is "a very visual representation of Remembrance".

Lydiard Park is one of six RBL fields of Remembrance in which a total of 30,000 tributes have been planted, paying respect to those of all faiths who have died.

Mr Saunders said he always came away from the field "feeling very sombre".

"It very deeply affects me," he said.

"To see each individual cross represent an individual person is very poignant and I'm very fortunate to have been here three times."

Peter Saunders, Poppy Appeal manager for Wiltshire, was at the opening of the field of Remembrance

Neil Warwick, Bishop of Swindon, said: "It is a consolation to be alongside other people in moments of sadness or moments of difficulty.

"We're all gathered today in Lydiard Park, shoulder-to-shoulder, all for the same purpose of remembering.

"Some of the people here will have lost a loved one and, for them, I'm sure being next to one another and like-minded people will be a tremendous support to them, and it would be my prayer that it is."

The field will be open for members of the public to visit and pay their respects from 10:00 - 16:00 GMT until 24 November, with a two-minute silence held daily at 14:00.