The Village Remembers

More than thirty people gathered at the war memorial yesterday (11th November) to remember those villagers who gave their lives in the First World War.  Concerns about Coronavirus failed to lessen the public’s commitment to the event.

The commemoration was conducted by the Revd David Haylett and the new team vicar the Revd Canon Paul Wignall.  The public gathered opposite the memorial in the car park of the Vine and Spice.

Wreathes were laid by the chairman of the Parish Council, Gordon Rogers, and Linda Town, principal organiser of the village poppy collection for the Royal British Legion.  The Last Post was played by Sasha Canter on a bugle.

In past years, children from the primary school have attended the ceremony, but this year they were absent.  In a departure from previous years the school children made one hundred decorated poppy pebbles which were placed at the foot of the memorial in advance of the service along with the histories of the servicemen who died.

The children also made wooden crosses and a wreath of poppies.  Head teacher Alison Bellingham said: “It was a pity that the school could not take part as we have done in previous years but unfortunately, Covid-19 restrictions made the usual ceremony impossible.  This service is very close to our hearts.  We marked the event with a special service in school”.

The soldiers from the village who lost their lives in war zones in France and Palestine or who died from wounds were: Percy Beckett, Charles Bidmead, Kenneth Bumpass, Alec Chambers, Alan Eason, Vincent Essex, Harry Green, William Wybrow-Hallwright, William Herman, Thomas Hopkyns, Ernest Jeffries, Fred and Frank Lamboll and Frank Leston.  Also remembered was Charles Green who lived in Little Wittenham.

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2 Responses to The Village Remembers

  1. Sybil McGhie says:

    If only it were possible to stop the traffic for two minutes…….

    • Kathy carter says:

      I agree. As a child I remember my father stopping the car,turning off the engine and we all sat in silence for two minutes.

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