Royal British Legion: Harwell Branch

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Remembrance Sunday 8th November 2020

by Filed Under: Remembrance, Remembrance-Sunday

Statement from the Parish Council:

The parish council has regretfully taken the decision not to hold parades this year on Remembrance Sunday on 8th November, and Armistice Day on 11th. This decision was taken after consultation with various organisations including VWHDC Environmental Health Department and the Royal British Legion and was based on considerations for safety of participants.

Instead of the usual services at the war memorial, there will be a closed ceremony at the war graves for 6 people after which representatives of the council, RBL and the armed forces will each lay a wreath. The ceremony will be filmed and if possible livestreamed.

Click here to see the ceremony (YouTube recording).

Anyone who wishes to lay a wreath may do so later in the day, observing social distancing of course.

On Armistice Day, the Last Post will be played at the war memorial but no readings or other usual ceremonies will be taking place. Instead, as the Royal British Legion advises, residents are encouraged to hold their own remembrance events or keep the two minutes’ silence wherever they are at the time.

Hopefully, next year we will be able to gather in the accustomed way to remember all those who have given their lives defending our freedom. This year, please stay safe and remember the fallen in your own way.

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