Remembrance Sunday: Birmingham's service on Colmore Row, with the two-minute silence at 11am

Birmingham will fall silent at 11am today as the city remembers those who gave their lives in war. The annual Remembrance Sunday service and parade takes place on Colmore Row, opposite St Philip's Cathedral, attended by military veterans and representatives of the armed forces, Birmingham City Council says, and everyone is invited to join in.

Order of the morning

The Salvation Army band will play from 10.15am. From 10.30am, the parade, made up of ex-service personnel, regular, reserve and cadet units, and representatives of other local uniformed organisations, will march on from Temple Row.

At 10.50am, the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Zaker Choudhry, the Bishop of Birmingham, the Rt Revd Dr Michael Volland, and Deputy Lieutenant Group Captain Ian Sergeant OBE KHS DL will walk from the Council House with senior armed forces representatives to the service, which begins at 10.55am.

At 11am, a two-minute silence will be observed. Afterwards, wreaths will be laid at the Cenotaph by representatives of the armed forces, veterans' organisations, and faith and community groups. The event ends with a march past from 11.30am.

The order of service can be downloaded from the council's website.

"Who gave their todays for our tomorrows"

The Lord Mayor said: "On Remembrance Sunday we honour our promise never to forget all those who sacrificed so much, and I encourage Birmingham's citizens to join us on Colmore Row to observe the act of remembrance at 11am."

"It is important that we take time to remember all the men and women who died while serving their country, at war and in peacetime, who gave their todays for our tomorrows."

Road closures

Roads in the city centre will be closed between 6am and 2.30pm, including:

• Bennett's Hill, Cannon Street, Cherry Street, Ethel Street, Lower Temple Street, Needless Alley, Temple Passage, Temple Row West, Temple Street and Waterloo Street, along their whole length;
• Colmore Row, except the link between Livery Street and Colmore Circus;
• Church Street, from Colmore Row to Barwick Street;
• New Street, from Victoria Square to Cannon Street;
• Newhall Street, from Colmore Row to Edmund Street.

Before you set off

The Met Office has a yellow warning for fog in place until 10am, so anyone travelling in should allow extra time. Once the fog lifts, the day is expected to stay largely dry and chilly, with temperatures struggling to reach double figures, so wrap up warmly for standing outdoors.

Many neighbourhoods also hold their own acts of remembrance at local war memorials and churches. Check with your local church or community group for times.

Why we remember

Remembrance Sunday falls on the Sunday closest to 11 November, Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War in 1918. It honours members of the armed forces and civilians who died in that war and in the conflicts since. Many people wear a poppy, sold by the Royal British Legion to raise money for serving personnel, veterans and their families.

Armistice Day itself falls on Wednesday, when a further two-minute silence will be held at 11am.