Wells Cathedral will reverberate with stirring music and poignant memories as Somerset comes together to commemorate over 80 years since the close of the Second World War. The Somerset Festival of Remembrance 2025, organised by the Royal British Legion’s Somerset County branch, offers a rare opportunity for the public to honour wartime veterans in person.
Scheduled for Saturday, November 1, from 7pm to 9:30pm, the event will pay tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of Somerset’s servicemen and women, both on the battlefront and on the home front. Attendees will hear recorded interviews sharing firsthand accounts from veterans, lending their voices to an unforgettable evening of remembrance.
Highlights include performances by the Central Band of the Royal British Legion and the Yeovilton Military Wives Choir, alongside a solemn poppy drop during the Act of Remembrance. The Somerset Book of Honour will be paraded, symbolising the county’s enduring respect for its heroes.
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The thematic programme will journey through Somerset’s wartime history—from mobilisation and conflict to liberation and legacy. The event will be hosted by former BBC correspondents Ali Vowles and Clinton Rogers, guiding the audience through the moving narrative.
Commodore Robert Mansergh, Somerset County President of the Royal British Legion, expressed his hopes for a strong community turnout: “It is vital that Somerset comes together to recognise the immense courage shown during one of the most challenging periods in our history. Hearing directly from those who lived through it will make the evening deeply moving.”
Guest of honour, Somerset’s Lord-Lieutenant Mohammed Saddiq, reflected on the wider significance: “We owe an enormous debt to these individuals. Their sacrifices have secured the freedoms we enjoy today, and this service is a heartfelt acknowledgment of that legacy.”
Tickets for this powerful event are available online. For assistance with bookings, contact the Wells Cathedral box office at 01749 832207 or email [email protected].