RAIN did not dampen the spirits nor the conviction to remember, as the people of Penarth came together to honour those who died for freedom.

Hundreds of members of the public (and a lot of wet dogs) lined Rectory Road where a ceremony was held in the Garden of Remembrance at the entrance to Alexandra Park.

Penarth Times: Penarth came out to rememberPenarth came out to remember (Image: Newsquest)

Penarth Times: Hundreds came out in the rainHundreds came out in the rain (Image: Newsquest)

Dignitaries including Vaughan Gething MS and the mayor of Penarth Councillor Melissa Rabaiotti laid wreaths as the Last Post was played and a moment’s silence was held to remember.

Penarth Times: A service was held at the Garden of RemembranceA service was held at the Garden of Remembrance (Image: Newsquest)

Penarth Times: Vaughan Gethin and dignitaries laid wreathsVaughan Gethin and dignitaries laid wreaths (Image: Newsquest)

Penarth Times: Standard bearers, ready to marchStandard bearers, ready to march (Image: Newsquest)

Then came the parade, accompanied by the emotive sound of the bagpipes played by the Welsh Pipers Society.

The parade went from Rectory Road, down Stanwell Road to All Saints Church.

Penarth Times: Mayor Rabaiotta laid a wreathMayor Rabaiotta laid a wreath (Image: Newsquest)

Penarth Times: They came out in the rain impeccably dressed in respectThey came out in the rain impeccably dressed in respect (Image: Newsquest)

Penarth Times: Cadets paid their respectsCadets paid their respects (Image: Newsquest)

After All Saints Church, members of the public were invited to Penarth Ex Serviceman’s Club, where a toast was raised to absent friends.

Penarth Times: Welsh Pipers Society played during the paradeWelsh Pipers Society played during the parade (Image: Newsquest)

Penarth Times: Sea Cadets stand to attentionSea Cadets stand to attention (Image: Newsquest)

Town that cancelled Remembrance parade, holds a Remembrance parade of sorts

In Barry, the town’s Remembrance service went ahead without a hitch despite the controversies leading up to the ceremony.

At the end of October, the council revealed they would not hold the traditional parade, which runs down Holton Road, due to health and safety concerns, however, a shortened parade was held in Memo Arts Centre car park.

Penarth Times: Hundreds came out for Barry's Remembrance serviceHundreds came out for Barry's Remembrance service (Image: Newsquest)

Penarth Times: A truncated parade was heldA truncated parade was held (Image: Newsquest)

An impressive and crisp parade made its way along the parameter of the car park before going round the back of Memo Arts Centre and finishing in front of the town’s cenotaph.

Next year’s Remembrance ceremony could be more familiar to the people of Barry, with the town council aiming to resume the traditional parade in partnership with Royal British Legion and other interested parties.