Lest we forget

Our photo, by Kennet Radio presenter Franco Agresta, shows the gathering of Remembrance this morning in the Market Place, Newbury.

For the first time since the pandemic, the square was crowded with local representatives, members of the Royal British Legion, the armed forces, local cadet and youth groups, as well as the Mayor Councillor Billy Drummond, the Lady Mayoress, Laura Farris MP, Town Council members, other officials, local clergy, the Saint Nicolas Church Choir and members of the public.

The service was led the Reverend Keri Eynon, Newbury Royal British Legion’s chaplain.  It included the traditional reading of the Exhortation and the Kohima Epitaph by members of the Royal British Legion, and the playing of the Last Post. There was also a Youth Poppy Presentation by two local school pupils, prayers and the solemn silence at 11 o’clock. The crowd sang “O God our help in Ages Past” and finished with a resounding singing of the National Anthem.

There was then the laying of wreaths at the War Memorial in Saint Bartholomew’s Street next to Saint Nicolas Church.