Join us for Silence in the Square on November 11

Swansea's main Cenotaph on the sea front, Swansea Council staff and many other businesses, homes and memorials will also go quiet for the annual November 11 commemorations.

Swansea Council is organising the Silence in the Square event in the city centre and supporting communities and veterans at events organised by local branches of the Royal British Legion.

Silence in the Square starts at 10.30am, with a performance by singer Kirsten Orsborn before and after the 11am National Two Minute Silence. Among those attending the event and service will be the council's joint deputy leader, Cllr Andrea Lewis

Present at Swansea's Cenotaph on November 11 will be Swansea's Lord Mayor, Cllr Mike Day, along with joint deputy leader Cllr David Hopkins, the council's Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Wendy Lewis, and other dignitaries representing the people of Swansea.

There will also be a service at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday at 11am, to which the public are invited. The event will be attended by the Lord Mayor, the Leader of the Council, Rob Stewart, joint deputy leader Andrea Lewis, the Royal British Legion and other civic dignitaries.

Armed Forces Champion Cllr Lewis will be attending commemorations in Fforestfach where she will be laying a wreath at the local memorial.

Cllr Day said: "Two minutes of quiet contemplation is a symbol of our gratitude to those who went into harm's way protecting our freedom, and those who still do.

"Shared across Swansea and the rest of the UK at the same moment, it is also a poignant reminder of a shared heritage of sacrifice and endeavour. The people of Swansea are always generous in their support of the Poppy Appeal and all those who serve or have served in our armed forces."

Civic buildings around Swansea will also fall silent on November 11 at 11am for the National Two Minute Silence. The Guildhall will be lit in Poppy red that evening and on the evening of November 13, Remembrance Sunday.

The Paws on Patrol community of local dog walkers who work with Safer Swansea to help keep neighbourhoods safe is also organising its own tribute on November 11. It features dog walks from locations around the city, converging on the Greenhill Parade Community hubs in time for the National Two Minute Silence.

Armed Forces Champion Wendy Lewis said: "It is a privilege to represent the people of Swansea and to continue to support those serving in our armed services. Theirs is a year-round commitment to us and ours is a year-round commitment to them.

"Swansea Council has made a commitment to veterans to cherish and safeguard war memorials around Swansea for future generations. For many years veterans have ensured their upkeep. To them we say: 'Thank you for your service, it's now the people of Swansea's turn'."

Poppies are on sale at a number of council venues around the city, including a number of libraries, the Guildhall and the Civic Centre.

Phillip Flower, Chairman of the Royal British Legion in Swansea, said: "Remembrance events have always been a very personal experience for veterans, our friends, families and supporters. It will be the same this year.

"The poppy has been the emblem and a rallying-point for Royal British Legion fundraising for 101 years. It's very special in so many ways because it is a reminder of the poppies of Flanders, where so many gave their lives during World War I."