Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown will be a guest speaker at the Anzac Day civic service at the cenotaph on Baring Square West, Ashburton.

Elected councillors will also be attending services around the district – deputy Mayor Liz McMillan will be at the Methven service and dawn service in Ashburton, while Cr Leen Braam will also be at the dawn service and the cemetery service at Ashburton.

Four civic wreaths have been ordered for the day. One wreath will be laid at Methven on behalf of the Methven Community Board and Methven community, while three will be laid at Ashburton services on behalf of the mayor and councillors, the Ashburton Youth Council and the Ashburton community.

Traffic management will be in place while the Baring Square West services are under way, with West Street/State Highway 1 closed from Havelock Street to Cameron Street from 6am until 8.30am and from 10am until 12.30pm – traffic will be detoured.

The Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum is holding a special Anzac Day event at 2pm, with an exhibition and discussion about the Westerfield Military Camp, built in 1942, and a talk about the Godley Head fort in Lyttleton, one of the most intact and extensive World War II coastal defence batteries left in New Zealand.

The art gallery and museum will be open from 1-4pm. The Ashburton Public Library will be closed, and the Ashburton Resource Recovery Park will be closed. There is no change to kerbside rubbish and recycling, so put your bins out as usual for collection.

The RSA has organised the following commemoration services for Anzac Day and everyone is invited to attend:

6.30am Dawn Service at the Cenotaph, Baring Square West - Speaker Jo Luxton and Ashburton RSA president Merv Brenton.

9am Ashburton Cemetery Service at the Services Plot - The service will be conducted by Lieutenant Elizabeth Walker-Rutu of the Salvation Army and guest speaker will be Squadron Leader Luke Sutton of the Air Cadets.

RSA members please assemble at the north end of the Service Personnel plot at 8.45am.

11am Civic Service and Wreath Laying at the Cenotaph, Baring Square West, Ashburton - Guest speakers will be Mayor Neil Brown, head students from Ashburton College and RSA Ashburton president Merv Brenton.

Hinds – A commemorative service will be held at the Hinds Hall at 10am.

Mayfield and Districts –  Assemble 9.30am at the Panther’s Rock Cafe car park for a parade at 9.45am.

At 10am, Wendy Millichamp will take a service in the Mayfield Memorial Hall, with speaker Sir Graeme Harrison. The Ashburton Silver Band will be in attendance and there will be a collection for Mid Canterbury Rural Support.

At about 11am, there will be an artillery gun salute in the Mayfield domain, followed by morning tea (a plate appreciated).

The Mayfield Golf Club is also holding a commemorative golf match; assemble 12 noon for a 12.30pm start.

Methven - Assemble at the memorial arch on McDonald Street at 9.15am, for a march at 9.30am.  Service at Mt Hutt Memorial Hall at 10am, followed by morning tea in the hall. All welcome.

Rakaia - Please assemble at 10am, followed by the commemorative service at the Rakaia Community Centre at 10.15am; wreath laying service to follow.