The Garden of Remembrance was officially opened with a service on Tuesday October 26 at Blaenavon’s clock tower cenotaph, for people to visit ahead of the official parade and service on Sunday, November 14.
This year’s parade was at risk of being a scaled down event following last year’s cancellation, after Gwent Police took the decision to not support any Remembrance event road closures.
But it will now go ahead as normal after Torfaen County Borough Council agreed to foot the bill for hiring a private traffic company to manage the road closure.
The Blaenavon branch of the Royal British Legion said the memorial garden beside the newly renovated cenotaph will be open daily from 9.30am-4pm for people who cannot attend the parade, but would like to lay a wreath or poppy cross.
An RBL spokesman said: “The parade will take place from Broad Street car park at 10.30am.
“The march will begin at 10.45am through the town centre via Ivor Gardens to the cenotaph for an 11am service.”
Wreaths for local clubs and charities can be obtained from Lesley Morgan, Blaenavon Branch Royal British Legion, on 01495 790857.
The town’s 90-year-old Art Deco-style cenotaph was unveiled again after a deep clean in July.
Sited in the Memorial Garden next to the Workmen’s Hall, it pays tribute to 176 names of the fallen, and was erected in 1931, with the foundation stone laid by Maj-Gen Lord Treowen.
It was sandblasted in a painstaking operation carried out by Cardiff-based Dawson Stone Masonry, with the clean-up funded by Torfaen CNC as part of the renovation of the neighbouring 126-year-old Workmen’s Hall.
Blaenavon Mayor Cllr Liam Cowles said at the time: “The cenotaph is a much-loved tribute to Blaenavon men who have served in many conflicts over more than a century.
“It is a landmark that is clearly visible to people coming into town and we’re delighted that it’s looking at its best once more.”
RBL Blaenavon branch secretary Cyril Turner also added: “We are very grateful to Torfaen CBC for paying for the thorough cleansing of the cenotaph, which had been battered by the elements.
“We’re all pleased to see it looking nothing but totally impressive once again.”