THIS week the nation will stand in silence and take part in parades to remember the great sacrifice of the soldiers.

There are a number of plans in place as residents of South Somerset do their part to honour those who have and still are risking their lives in the armed forces.

On Friday, the mayor of Chard is leading a two-minute silence to be observed outside the Guildhall, continuing the town’s tradition, after which refreshments will be available in the Town Hall of the Guildhall from 11.15am onwards.

Both Chard, Ilminster and Crewkerne will be holding remembrance services on Sunday.

In Chard, a parade will start at Guildhall at around 10.30am before travelling up to St Mary’s Church. There the laying of the wreaths will take place before a short service in the church.

There will also be a remembrance service and parade in Ilminster from 3pm.

After the service in the Minster there be a laying of the wreaths. Cadets, British Legion members and organisations will then march up Silver Street, down Ditton Street and round the rear of Greenfylde School.

In Crewkerne, Remembrance Sunday will be marked by a meet in Severalls Park Avenue at 9.55am before a short walk to St Bartholomew’s Church at 11am.

There will later be a short church service, at around 1pm, before a Royal British Legion community gathering in the George Reynolds Centre.

Chard's Poppy Appeal fundraising got off to a flying start with a successful launch event.

The appeal in the town is organised by Mary-Anne Adams, who took the job on for the first time last year.

In 2015, the town’s fundraising effort managed to raise £12,489.40 for charity, with Mary-Anne hoping they can do even better this time around.

Mrs Adams said: “You can get poppies from nearly every shop in the Chard. We have put out 140 boxes.

“We held the launch event last week which isn’t something that we have done before in Chard. We had all the cadets out and raised about £230, which is a good start.

“I do craft fairs and wherever I go the poppies go with me. It is great to hear other people stories. It is very rewarding.”

The weekend saw more cadets taking to the streets for fundraising, as well as members of the scouting community lending a hand.

Town councillors mayor Dave Bulmer, deputy mayor Garry Shortland and Cllr Amanda Broom were at the launch event along with Chard Carnival princess Leah Smith, John Gudge of Chard Royal British Legion, and Victoria Whiteman, who is standing to take over as the RBL branch’s chairman.

After the launch, John Gudge sang in the Guildhall and poppies were sold outside the Guildhall.