Remembrance Sunday services return in Wales

Services took place across Wales on Remembrance Sunday, including in Aberystwyth

Remembrance Sunday services have taken place across Wales after Covid rules affected events last year.

Numbers were limited in 2020 as Remembrance Sunday was held on the final day of Wales' firebreak lockdown.

Veterans and families said a national memorial service in Cardiff was filled with mixed emotions.

Other services were held in Bangor, Swansea, Aberystwyth, Llandudno, Wrexham and elsewhere.

Veteran Rodney Harrington said he lost six colleagues from the Royal Regiment of Wales in a matter of weeks in 1972, so Sunday's service at the National War Memorial in Cathays Park, Cardiff, was "very important" to him.

He said he attended the war memorial last year to plant a cross and then "went his own way".

Maggie Pedder, Rodney Harrington and Vicky Cooper-Cornell attended the national service in Cardiff

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Warrant Officer Class 2 Vicky Cooper-Cornell, who served in the British Army for 22 years, also said it was a "poignant day" in which she remembered those who have died or have been hurt as a result of their service.

"It does choke you up," she said.

Maggie Pedder, from the Military Wives Choirs, said it was a day mixed with pride and sadness.

"It's such a beautiful day, and so still, and so wonderful to see all the boys and girls in uniform and to see our veterans and feel part of such a special occasion," she said.

First Minister Mark Drakeford attended the service at Cathays Park, in Cardiff

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First Minister Mark Drakeford, who attended the service in Cathays Park, said: "On Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday, we pause and reflect on all those who lost their lives and who have sacrificed so much in defence of our values and freedoms."

Anthony Metcalfe, Wales area manager for the Royal British Legion, said the charity was "delighted" to see services reopen.

He said: "After last year's in-person remembrance events had to be cancelled and scaled back due to Covid, the fact that Wales can unite as a nation once more to remember all our armed forces is wonderful to see."

Barbara McGregor said she "missed" being unable to attend the Cenotaph last year

Barbara McGregor, from Bridgend, the longest-serving woman in the Royal Navy, said it was "wonderful" taking part in the Cenotaph parade in London.

"We really missed being here last year," said Ms McGregor who retired earlier this year after a career of 43 years.

Brian Latham, 97, from Llandudno, Conwy county, also took part in the Cenotaph parade in London along with the rest of the Glider Pilot Regiment with whom he served in World War Two.

Brian Latham (front row, fourth from left) pictured on a heavy glider conversion course in 1944. 11 of those pictured were killed in Operation Varsity, which saw Mr Latham carry Allied troops across the Rhine

He flew an aircraft carrying troops and supplies into Germany in March 1945, just a few weeks before VE Day.

He said the Glider Pilot Regiment was "considered a 'corps d'elite' on a par with the Commandos and Special Forces".

"It is an honour and a privilege to be with my son Jeremy alongside all those who will be marching in the Cenotaph parade," he said.

Peter Wilson said people had been "very, very generous" to the Poppy Appeal on its 100th anniversary after collections were hit by Covid last year

Army veteran Peter Wilson, 76, from Magor, Monmouthshire, said he had been looking forward to Sunday after "much depleted" services last year.

"Remembrance is very important to all of us," said the Royal British Legion poppy seller.

Mr Wilson, who joined the Army in 1963 and served for 24 years in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, said last year's events led to "moving" scenes of people watching from their gardens, rather the town cenotaph.

"To me it's an event I actually look forward to, because it's a time where we can dwell on missing comrades and the things that we've done together," said Mr Wilson.

"We should never ever forget what people have done for us and life would be very, very different if they hadn't given their lives."

Several buildings and monuments in Wales, such as the Tredegar Town Clock, have been lit up in red to mark Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday

The shadow of the Covid pandemic has affected services across the country.

In Wrexham, people were asked to wear a mask if they could not socially distance, while the town's Memorial Hall was being used as a Covid test site.

In Brecon, a service at the cathedral was by invitation only because of Covid, although it was streamed online.

In Bangor, about 400 people took part in a service of remembrance at the cathedral followed by a two-minute silence at the city's war memorial.

Ceredigion council said roads would be closed in Lampeter and Cardigan around each towns' war memorials.

A service was held at Bangor on Sunday

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