|
|
Post by prospectroad on May 3, 2015 14:22:31 GMT
On Friday evening, 8th May, assembling at 6.15 and starting at 6.30pm we will holding a parade between Lady James Hall and the War Memorial to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of VE Day. We have a bag piper, bugler, scouts, cubs, ATC lined up for the parade. Some veterans have confirmed they will be attending. A service will be held at the memorial, including the reading of the original local VE Day sermons from the district's churches and a reading of the names on the WW2 memorial. All are welcome to attend. Best regards Pete  Attachment Deleted |
|
|
|
Post by prospectroad on May 9, 2015 6:28:24 GMT
It rained on our parade. The rain started a few hours before the 6.30pm start and grew steadily heavier. Our phones were constantly going off with "is it still on?", "I've got a gazebo", "bring a brollie" type conversations. We spoke to the WW2 veterans (our guests of honour) and, in true British style, they still wanted to turn up "just in case". While we were stood around getting wet and trying to come up with a plan, a couple of ladies turned up to open Lady James Hall (it was bingo night). After we had explained our problem they kindly opened their doors for us. Then people started turning up, they'd seen the rain, they didn't know that we had found an indoor venue, they were still there for the parade. WW2 veterans, the Mayor of Salford, the air cadets of 292 Squadron, local scouts and many local people all packed into Lady James Hall. Union Jacks and the standard of 292 ATC Squadron were draped around the room and a photographic display was set up showing the local men and women who gave their lives in the war.
A bag piper kicked things off with a few blasts of a rousing air and Ian Stewart, the Mayor of Salford, made the introductions and said a few words. Two air cadets read out the 96 names on the Irlam and Cadishead War Memorial (48 from each town) and then the Reverend Jane Warhurst (Irlam Parish) gave a short speech based on the actual words spoken by local clergy on VE Day itself. The Last Post, two minutes silence, then the Reveille followed, before the 'parade' finished with the uplifting "Amazing Grace" played on the bag pipes.
During the ceremony I noticed that an elderly gentleman had placed a Red Beret on the table in front of him. Afterwards I asked him if he had been in the paras. Proudly he explained that it had belonged to his father and when his father passed away he made a promise to bring the beret to any local WW2 commemoration events. There were people I recognised and there were others, young and old, who were new to me. All would have their own personal reasons for being there.
Yes, it rained on our parade, but in adversity, Irlam and Cadishead's Dunkirk spirit came to the rescue.
|
|
|
|
Post by shred on May 9, 2015 13:30:26 GMT
Great post, Pete.
Happy that the event went ahead despite the appalling weather. Just sorry that I could notmake it, ell done to all those that did.
|
|
|
|
Post by prospectroad on May 27, 2015 16:25:43 GMT
|
|
