Royal British Legion: Harwell Branch

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2021 D Day Service

by Filed Under: D-Day, Remembrance

We hoped the Parade would be returning in its usual format in 2021 following the cancelled event in 2020 due to the Covid-19 Pandemic and the virtual event in its place. Although Government restrictions have been lifting in March, April and May, there remains a maximum gathering size of 30 by Saturday 5th June.

With such a limited on the numbers available to invite, the Branch have decided to hold a much smaller event with ~12 persons as an agree “minimum” to offer suitable respect to the event. These persons have been invited and will be meeting for a smaller event on Saturday evening however those wishing to attend can do so via a planned live stream a link of which will be shared once made available.

Any persons or organisations who wish to pay their respects are asked to do so after 1800hrs on Saturday 5th June, wreaths are available directly from the RBL via https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/wreaths

Remembrance Sunday 8th November 2020

by Filed Under: Remembrance, Remembrance-Sunday

Remembrance Sunday Ceremony:
With the Covid-19 pandemic influencing us all, there was the expected impact upon annual November Remembrance commemorations, however Harwell Branch of the RBL were keen that the event was still recognised. In line with Government guidelines and consultation with the Parish Council, a smaller service took place to lay wreaths at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission site in the Village Cemetery. In attendance, alongside Rev Jonathan Mobey taking the Service were;
Cllr Debbie Turner, Parish Council Chairman,
Maj Ingleby Representative of 11 EOD&S Regiment, Vauxhall Barracks,
Reg East, President of the Harwell Branch, RBL
Dr A Hughes, Bugler
And Mr Allan Macarthur, Camera operator who set up a Live Stream via Youtube for the community to watch from home.
Wreaths were laid by the attending representatives with others laid by groups after the formal event, including the Vale of the White Horse District Council, 2410 Sqn Didcot Air Cadets and the 1st Harwell Scouts.

Click here to see the ceremony (YouTube recording).

Armistice Day:

The National 2 minutes silence held on 11th November fell victim to the Covid-19 pandemic as did all other events. Despite this, President of the Harwell Branch RBL joined by Dr A Hughes to play the Bugle were in place at the Village War Memorial in the High Street for the silence at 11 o’clock.

 

2020 November Collection

by Filed Under: Fund-raising, Poppy-appeal

2020 was very different for everyone, including the annual Poppy Appeal. Many of the usual activities could not take place, including house-to-house collecting, so new activities took place instead.

Chilton Poppy Appeal Organiser Hazel Benton ran a stall at four locations in Chilton during the appeal. Thank you to all who visited and made a donation.

 

Chilton Poppy Appeal
Chilton Poppy Appeal
Chilton Poppy Appeal
Chilton Poppy Appeal
Chilton Poppy Appeal
Chilton Poppy Appeal

The totals raised are:

  • Harwell Village and Campus shops and businesses raised a total of £1,228.77.
  • Table collections in Chilton plus the boxes and collecting tins in the Curie Avenue shops and businesses raised a total of £1,494.71

Thanks to everyone for their generosity and a special thanks to everyone who braved the rain to come to the table collections.

Many thanks, Hazel Benton, Chilton Village Poppy Appeal Organiser

The usual Remembrance Sunday Parades and services at the High Street War Memorial and in Harwell Church did not take place so no collection was made.

Donations for Remembrance Sunday Wreaths

Thank you to the local organisations who have so far donated a total of £189.72 for the wreaths laid at the War Memorials in Chilton and Harwell over Remembrance.

Other Donations totaling £69.96 have been collected.

Total October 2020 to date: £2,983.16

2020 D Day Service

by Filed Under: D-Day, Remembrance

It is regrettable, if predictable that Harwell RBL Branch have called off the annual D-Day Commemoration Service for 2020 in light of the Covid-19 outbreak. The mass gathering of 100+ member of the public, invited guests and dignitaries, and representatives from a variety of veterans groups and onsite businesses all travel from numerous and variety of locations which has the potential to spread the virus. As such in line with Government advise the event will not be held to avoid this risk.

We hope the Parade will return in 2021, the date for which will be Saturday 5th June.

Peter Davies
Ceremonial Officer
Harwell Branch RBL
harwell.committee1@rbl.community