Communities across west Wales are preparing to mark Remembrance Sunday with church services, parades and wreath-laying ceremonies, as councils clarify their positions on wearing poppies.

This year's commemorations take place on Sunday, 8 November.

In Aberystwyth, proceedings begin with a service at Holy Trinity Church at 9.15am.

A parade will depart from Queen's Square at 10.15am, reaching the war memorial for a service beginning at 10.50am, followed by a silence at 11am.

A separate commemoration will take place in Penparcau, where residents will gather at the recently restored Southgate war memorial.

The event begins at Neuadd Goffa at 3pm, with free refreshments available. The Southgate memorial has recently been improved with a new pathway and commemorative plaque, following efforts by residents and local councillors.

Further south, Aberaeron Memorial Hall has listed a Remembrance Sunday event for 3pm, while Llanddewi Brefi Community Council has confirmed arrangements for a service, with 13 wreaths ordered for village organisations.

Across the border in Gwynedd, Aberdyfi Community Council has also confirmed commemorations for 8 November, although specific timings have not been published.

Additional events include a Remembrance concert at Neuadd Pendre, Tywyn, on Friday, 6 November.

Neuadd Penrhiwllan, near Llandysul, will host a concert at 7pm on Remembrance Sunday, featuring community singing and performances by Guto Jenkins and Daniel Rees.

Meanwhile, the Ceredigion Festival of Remembrance takes place at Aberystwyth Arts Centre on Tuesday, 10 November, at 7.30pm.

Featuring Wynne Evans, Mark Llewelyn Evans, the Three Counties Choir & Orchestra and Aberystwyth Silver Band, the event will honour the Armed Forces community.

Councils outline poppy policies

Ahead of Remembrance Sunday, Cambrian News contacted councils to establish whether representatives must wear traditional red poppies and whether alternative colours are officially recognised.

Aberystwyth Town Council confirmed it has no formal policy governing poppy-wearing, allowing councillors and employees to choose their own symbol of remembrance.

However, town clerk Will Rowlands confirmed the authority has a longstanding tradition of laying both red and white poppy wreaths at its Aberystwyth and Penparcau services.

Ceredigion County Council similarly emphasised personal choice.

A spokesperson said: "The Council does not mandate the wearing of poppies by councillors or employees. The decision to wear a poppy, including the choice of poppy, is a matter for the individual."

Powys County Council confirmed it has no policy requiring councillors or staff to wear particular poppies during Remembrance Sunday or Armistice Day.

A spokesperson said: "It is a matter of individual choice."

Llanidloes Town Council said its civic representatives were very likely to wear traditional red poppies this year.

However, town clerk Darren Bender confirmed there is no requirement to do so, no formal poppy policy and no official endorsement of alternative coloured poppies.

Asked whether the red poppy should remain the principal symbol at civic commemorations, the council said it had never previously considered the question.

While the traditional red poppy remains closely associated with the Royal British Legion's annual appeal, councils responding to Cambrian News have largely emphasised individual choice over compulsory rules.