32. Opening of the Garden of Remembrance, St Paul’s Cathedral

Each year the Royal British Legion City of London Poppy Appeal opens a Garden of Remembrance at St Paul’s Cathedral. This year the Service was held on 2 November during which The Very Reverend Dr David Ison, Dean of St Paul's, led prayers to the fallen in front of the Lord Mayor Locum Tenens, the Sheriffs (Alderman Charles Bowman and Christine Rigden) (arriving right), representatives from the City of London, Livery Companies’ Masters and Clerks, HM Forces and other service organisations.

The Band of the Grenadier Guards, The Royal British Legion and Guard of Honour were in attendance.

The short Order of Service included Prayers, the Last Post, an Exhortation, Reveille, and a two-minute silence. Sara Jones, President of the Poppy Factory recited the Kohima Prayer.

City and service institutions planted personalised Remembrance Crosses in the grounds of St Paul’s. In groups of three, the Livery Companies’ Masters planted their Crosses before dispersing.  The Garden of Remembrance is open until the end of November. Everyone is invited to plant their own crosses, which are available from the Royal British Legion outside the west front of the Cathedral.

The Service followed the Royal British Legion’s annual London Poppy Day on 29 October when personnel from the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force greeted commuters as part of a bid to raise more than £1 million for The Royal British Legion in 24 hours.