MEMBERS of all the branches of the Royal British Legion in Wiltshire marched through Melksham on Sunday as part of the annual county parade.

Onlookers watched from the streets as around 50 RBL members and 20 standards made their way through the town waving their flags adding some colour to the High Street, followed by motorcyclists from The Riders Branch.

The parade takes place in a different town each year and this year Melksham was chosen as the host town for the event and re-dedication service.

It began at King Street car park with the Shrewton Silver Band leading the march to St Michael and All Angel’s Church in Church Walk, where the Rev Barry Blackford conducted a service and chose the topic of vulnerability and possibility for his sermon.

RBL county president General Jack Deverell, deputy Lord Lieutenant Sarah Troughton and Chippenham MP Michelle Donelan, were also in attendance to watch the parade.

After the service, there was a trooping of the colour ceremony and a final march through the town with a salute taken outside the Town Hall before a meal was held in the Assembly Hall. Melksham mayor Terri Welch also gave a speech about the importance of the town and pleasure of hosting this year’s event.

Tom Sangster, treasurer for the RBL Melksham branch, said: “It went very well, we really enjoyed it. There were a few people who watched from the streets, but I expected a lot more.

"The branches from all the counties in Wiltshire were involved and a good number of Standards.

“I think it was 1990 when the last Wiltshire County Parade was in Melksham, so quite a number of years has passed, so it was good for Melksham to have the parade and service again after all these years.”