Royal British Legion: Harwell Branch

Remembrance-Sunday

Remembrance Sunday Parade and Armistice Day 2024

by Filed Under: Remembrance-Sunday

Remembrance Sunday Parade – 10th November

On Sunday 10th November Harwell Village recognised Remembrance with a Parade along the Village High Street to the War Memorial where a Commemorative Service was held.

The Parade marched from Townsend to the War Memorial in the High Street, under the command of Sjt Jason Capone-Taylor from Didcot Army Cadet Force acting as the Parade Marshal. The parade included members of the Harwell Branch RBL, Harwell Parish Council, Western Valley Parish Council and local representatives from the VoWHDC, Didcot Cadet Forces (Army and Air), Harwell Scouts and Guides, joined by other Harwell organisations: Oxford Manor Lodge, the Bowls Club, Rugby Club, Gardening Club, Harwellian Club and the WI.

The attendance was higher than last year, encouraged by the better weather. The Service at the War Memorial was conducted by Rev. Brendan Bailey. The laying of the wreaths was led by Angus Horner, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Oxfordshire, with Dr Tony Hughes playing the Last Post to signify the start and end of the two-minute silence.

A collection for the Poppy Appeal went around ahead and after the service, thanks go to Mrs Hazel Benton and Ms Tracey Pearson for their part in walking around with the collection buckets which raised £195.08. Thanks also to Paul Parlett who raised further funds with a tray of Poppies and merchandise.

Following the service held on the High Street, the Parade marched to St Matthew’s Church, where upon arrival the Standards formed a Guard of Honour at the entrance to the Church.

After the Church Service, the Deputy Lord-Lieutenant and Harwell Parish Chairman, joined by the RBL Branch Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary, attended the War Memorial at the Commonwealth War Graves in Harwell Cemetery where a short moment of reflection was held before a wreath was laid.

Photos of the event can be found on the Branch Facebook page, and Branch Treasurer’s Flikr account, linked below:

Harwell RBL Branch Parades Facebook Page / Simon Haycox Flikr Album

11th November, Armistice Day 2-minute silence

A short commemoration was held at the High Street War Memorial on Monday 11th November at 11:00.  About 20 people attended, together with pupils and staff of Harwell School, and members of the Harwell Branch RBL.

The High Street was closed by volunteers from the Parish.

Branch Chairman Reginald White conducted the Ceremony and recited the Exhortation and Kohima Epitaph. The Last Post and Reveille were sounded by Dr. Tony Hughes and the Two Minutes Silence was observed. The Chairman thanked all present for their attendance.

Harwell Parish Council and Harwell Branch RBL thank all who contributed to the Commemorations.

Remembrance Sunday Parade and Armistice Day 2023

by Filed Under: Remembrance-Sunday

Remembrance Sunday – Remembrance Parade

On Sunday 12th November Harwell Village recognised the annual Remembrance with a Parade along the Village High Street to the War Memorial where a Commemorative Service was held.

In wetter conditions than experienced in recent years, but perhaps more seasonal for November, the Parade marched from Townsend to the War Memorial in the High Street and included members of the RBL, Harwell Parish Council and Local representatives from the VOWH DC, Didcot Cadet Forces (Army and Air) Scouts, Guides and this year joined by a number of Harwell Organisations for the first time, including Alma Barn, Arts & Craft Group, Harwell Bowls Club, Harwell Rugby Club, Tennis Club and the WI and also joined by the newly formed Western Valley Parish Council, who are without their own memorial.

The attendance was positive given the wet start to the day, those attending welcoming the Service at the War Memorial being conducted by Rev. Jeremy Parsons for the first time in his new role as Rector at St Matthews. The laying of the wreaths was led by Angus Horner, the Deputy Lieutenant for Oxfordshire, with Dr Tony Hughes playing the Last Post to signify the start and end of the two-minute silence.

A collection for the Poppy Appeal went around ahead and after the service which raised £199.05, thanks go to Mrs Hazel Benton and Ms Tracey Pearson for their part in walking around with the collection buckets.

Following the service held on the High Street, the Parade marched to St Matthew’s Church, where upon the arrival the Standards formed a Guard of Honour at the entrance to the Church.

After the Church Service, the Deputy Lord-Lieutenant, Harwell Parish Chairman and Rev Parsons joined the RBL Branch Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Branch Treasurer and Branch Secretary all attended the War Memorial at the Commonwealth War Graves in Harwell Cemetery where a short moment of reflection was held before a wreath was laid.

Deputy Lieutenant for Oxfordshire, Angus Horner, said of the event “As ever, it was an incredibly well attended and executed Parade.  The Cadets, Beavers, Scouts et al are a particular credit to themselves and us all (turning out in large numbers in poor weather).  I am sure that Generations Past look down with great satisfaction at this robust and consistent act of Remembrance by Harwell’s People.”

Photos of the event can be found on the Branch Facebook page, and Branch Treasurer’s Flikr account, linked below:

 

Harwell RBL Parades Facebook Page / Simon Haycox, flickr.com Album

Armistice Day

A short commemoration was held at the High Street War Memorial on Saturday 11th November at 11:00.  About 30 people attended, together with members of Harwell School, and members of the Harwell Branch RBL including the Branch Standard.

The High Street was closed by the Parish Council staff.

Branch Chairman Reginald White conducted the Ceremony and recited the Exhortation and Kohima Epitaph. The Last Post and Reveille were sounded by Dr. Tony Hughes and the Two Minutes Silence was observed. The Chairman thanked all present for their attendance.

 

Remembrance Sunday Parade and Armistice Day 2022

by Filed Under: Remembrance-Sunday

On Sunday 13th November Harwell Village recognised the annual Remembrance with a Parade along the Village High Street to the War Memorial where a Commemorative Service was held.

The Parade marched from Townsend to the War Memorial in the High Street and included members of the RBL, Harwell Parish Council and Local representatives from the VOWH DC, local organisations, Didcot Cadet Forces (Army and Air) Scouts and Guides.

The village population was well represented with the public filling the pavements and surrounding space, with estimates around 1000 attending in total.  The Service at the War Memorial was conducted by Rev. Rob Thomas, Mr John MacFarlane-Horgan played the Bagpipes which accompanied the Parades arrival at the Memorial and the laying of the wreaths with Dr Tony Hughes playing the Last Post to signify the start and end of the two-minute silence.

Thanks are due to Allan Macarthur and Phil Johnston for organising the sound system and to Mike and Anita Pepper for distributing the service sheets to the congregation

A collection for the Poppy Appeal went around ahead and after the service and raised £171.83, and thanks should go to Mrs Hazel Benton and Ms Tracey Pearson for their part in walking around with the collection buckets.

The event was honoured by the attendance of the King’s representative, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Angus Horner, who lead the laying of the Wreaths, and was followed by VOWH DC, Harwell Parish Council, Royal British Legion Harwell Branch, The Harwellian Club, Didcot Detachment Army Cadets, 2410 (Didcot) Sqn Air Cadets, Harwell Scouts the Milbrook Girl Guides.

Following the service, Angus Horner offered some poignant words on Remembrance and the local connection to WWII with the village’s proximity to the former RAF Harwell airfield which played its part in the war effort. After which the Parade marched to St Matthew’s Church, where upon the arrival the Standards formed a Guard of Honour at the entrance to the Church. Rev Pam Rolls joined by Rev Jan Radford took the service

After the Church Service, the Deputy Lord-Lieutenant, Harwell Parish Chairman and Parish Council representative joined the  RBL Branch Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Secretary by attending the War Memorial at the Commonwealth War Graves in Harwell Cemetery where a wreath was laid.

Further photos of the event can be found via the following links

Harwell RBL Parades Facebook Page

Simon Haycox, flickr.com Album

Bob Girling, smugmug.com Album

Armistice Day

A short commemoration was held at the High Street War Memorial. About 40 people attended, together with members of Harwell School Council, the Head Teacher and the School Business Manager, and members of the Harwell Branch RBL.

The High Street was closed by the Parish Council grounds staff.

Branch Chairman Reginald White conducted the Ceremony and recited the Exhortation and Kohima Epitaph. The Last Post and Reveille were sounded by Dr. Tony Hughes and the Two Minutes Silence was observed. The Chairman thanked all present for their attendance

 

Any questions regarding either event can be directed to the Branch Ceremonial Officer, Peter Davies using harwell.committee1@rbl.community

 

 

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.

 

Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day 2019

by Filed Under: Armistice-Day, Remembrance, Remembrance-Sunday

The 2019 Remembrance Parade and Service at the Village War Memorial was well attended by Parade goers and villagers alike, in crisp, clear, if cold, conditions.

The Parade marched from Townsend to the War Memorial in the High Street. Around 200 people in total and 10 Standards, consisting of the RBL with Local Council representation (District and Parish), local organisations with the Cadet Forces, Scouts and Guides completing the line up.

An estimated 450 villagers attended the Service at the War Memorial conducted by Rev. Dr. Jonathan Mobey with Dr Tony Hughes playing the Last Post to signify the start of the two minute silence.

A collection for the Poppy Appeal went around ahead and after the service and raised £322.89.

Wreaths were laid by VOWH DC, Harwell Parish Council, Royal British Legion Harwell, Harwell History Group, The Harwellian Club, Didcot Detachment Army Cadets, 2410 (Didcot) Sqn Air Cadets, Harwell Scouts and the Milbrook Girl Guides

Following the service, The Parade marched to St Matthew’s Church, where upon the arrival the Standards formed a Guard of Honour at the entrance to the Church. Rev Pam Rolls joined by Rev Mobey took the service.

After the Church Service, about 15 villagers and RBL Branch Members attended the War Memorial at the Commonwealth War Graves in Harwell Cemetery where a wreath was laid on behalf of the Branch.

11th November 2 minute silence

A short commemoration was held at the High Street War Memorial at 11 o’clock in recognition of the two minutes silence held on the 11th November. Around 20 people attended, together with about 25 Harwell School children and teachers.

Branch President Reginald East conducted the ceremony. After saying a few words to indicate the significance of Remembrance the Last Post was sounded by Dr. Tony Hughes, the Two Minutes Silence was observed, and the RBL Standard was dipped by Branch Standard Bearer Charles East. A wreath was laid on behalf of Little Pippins Pre-School.

Thanks are due to all who attended or participated in the Commemorations.

Thanks are also due to Harwell Gardeners Club for replanting and maintaining the flower beds and lawns around the War Memorial and Harwell Parish Council for maintenance of the memorial itself and the surrounding area.