Armistice
Sunday in Edwinstowe
Hundreds
of Edwinstowe villagers both young and old turned out on a wet and cold
Armistice Sunday, 9th of November 2008. The weather may have been somewhat
cold but as was over heard from one old lady stood near to the village
Memorial: ‘Those poor men had it a damn site worse in the trenches
of Flanders’, indicating the names carved into the stone. It was
with that thought, not only of those who paid with their lives in the
Great War of 1914-18. Those of the Second World War and various conflicts
thereafter. But also of all our current serving men and women in conflict
zones across the globe that these people had turned out to remember.
Music
for both the parade and in church was again provided by the world renowned
Thoresby Colliery Band directed by Mr Stan Lippeat. Trumpeter Mr Peter
Cousins of the band marked the beginning and the end of the two minute
silence with the Last Post and Reveille respectively. During which the
only noise from the few hundred present came from the patter of rain
on umbrellas.
Behind
the band was the village branch of the Royal British Legion. Within
their number were current serving personnel originally from the village.
Escort to the RBL colours was provided by two cadets from Warsop Air
Training Corps, again one of the lads from Edwinstowe. A Royal Naval
Standard was carried by Mr D Poyser, ex RN. Ollerton Army Cadets followed
with half of their number provided by youth from our village. Also parading
were Edwinstowe’s own St John’s Ambulance, Scouts, Cubs,
Beavers, Guides, Brownies and Rainbows.
Major
A. Theakstone once again attended in the capacity of Saluting officer.
Members of the Parish and County Council were in attendance with Chairman
Mrs Pam Bird. Numerous wreaths were placed on the Memorial, the number
of which pays testament to the depth of respect held by our community.
The
total of monies collected by our village through the various Poppy boxes
and efforts of voluntary door to door collectors is still to be finalised
but the initial count places this at around £4500. Thank you to
all who have contributed and particularly to the volunteers. Special
mention goes to Mr Dennis Wood who personally collected over £1000.
To
finish may I ask you all to consider the Royal British Legion. This
voluntary organisation exists through member subscriptions and fund
raising. We provide support to those that have served their country
and now need help. These people are now, due to current overseas commitments,
no longer just the old. 3 Para alone in its recent tour of Afghanistan
suffered 15 killed, over one hundred injured, 46 seriously. This from
a Battalion of less than six hundred men. These people can no longer
expect help from the government with the closures of military Hospitals
and rehabilitation centres. They need and deserve help.
For
further information and joining packs please pass your details to Alice
at the Parish Council who will forward them on to me. Thank you.
Geoff Dunn
Secretary Edwinstowe Royal British Legion.
