ODIHAM marked Remembrance Day and the centenary of the First World War on Sunday.

The village held a service at the village war memorial that saw the village High Street packed with residents watching the parade and fly past from RAF Odiham.

Wreathes were laid by the RAF Odiham Station Commander, MP Ranil Jayawardena, Parish Council Chair Jon Hale (assisted by his five-year-old daughter Harriet) and other village representatives.

The following service at All Saints was attended by an estimated 700 people. While the evening saw the community participate in the national ‘Battles Over’ Beacon lighting. Station Commander Group Captain Lee Turner and Parish Council Chairman Jon Hale joined thousands of other communities nationally and internationally in firing the beacon at 7pm, followed by church bells ringing out for peace at 7.05pm.

Parish Councillor and Squadron Leader JM David, currently commanding 18 Squadron in Mali, mirrored events with a parade of the deployed service men and women from RAF Odiham.

Chair of Odiham Parish Council, Cllr Jon Hale, said: "It has been amazing to see the community come together so spectacularly to mark this poignant anniversary. There has been a humbling effort by a huge number of volunteers.

"The candlelight procession to the beacon by the village Scouts, Guides, Cubs and Brownies, each carrying a candle for one of our communities 69 fallen, was particularly moving.

"In addition to the many special ways our Parish has worked to commemorate the Centenary, I am particularly proud that we have created a lasting legacy with our new Community Peace Garden. Something that was first suggested at the end of WW1, that we set our minds on delivering a little over a month ago and with a lot of work, have managed to complete in time for Remembrance Day."