A SOMBRE atmosphere surrounded Saffron Walden High Street on Sunday morning as moving tributes were paid to the many war heroes from the town. Veterans, army cadets, civic dignitaries, scouts and hundreds of members of public turned out for Remembrance Su

A SOMBRE atmosphere surrounded Saffron Walden High Street on Sunday morning as moving tributes were paid to the many war heroes from the town.

Veterans, army cadets, civic dignitaries, scouts and hundreds of members of public turned out for Remembrance Sunday to observe a two minute silence at 11am.

St Mary's church vicar, David Tomlinson, led the ceremony and paid tribute to those who lost their lives during war time.

He said: "We had a very good turn out which was nice to see. It is important that we all pay our respects to those men and women who gave so much."

After the two minutes' silence and the laying of poppy wreaths from all the groups present the parade made its way down the High Street to St Mary's church for a service.

However the parade was criticised by some members of the public because instead of a town band, onlookers were serenaded by what they describe as "a man in a van".

Jean Start, who lives in the town and attended the ceremony, said: "There were more people watching than in the parade itself. What happened to the band? I think we have one in the town and at the High School.

"It was lovely to see the crowd clap the soldiers as they walked up the road, but I think it a bit disrespectful not to have a proper marching band."

British legion Deputy Parade Marshall, Michael Birnie, said: "We would love to have a marching band, but ever since the Boys' Brigade disbanded it has been difficult to find one.

"If anyone has any numbers or suggestions, we would love to have a band next year. We thought the parade was one of the biggest we have had in recent years as it stretched right form the memorial to the traffic lights, it was nice to include Veteran Ghurkhas from the town and from Wimbish. I thought the army did a great job in leading the parade."

You can contact Mr Birnie by calling 01223 882222.