Page 117 - MERCIAN Eagle 2018

Barr Beacon Service of Remembrance
The Mayor & Mayoress were in attendance at this special event on November 9, accompanied by around 500 children representing seven schools – Barr Beacon, Blackwood, Lindens, Meadow View, Pheasey Park Farm, St Anne’s & Streetly
– together with representatives from the Mercian Volunteers Regimental Association, local faith leaders and members of the Barr Beacon Trust.
The schools put together a service which included poems, readings and hymns. One of the hymns was performed by a joint school’s choir. The service also incorporated the wreath laying ceremony.
In addition to preparing the service, over the past few weeks, the schools have been working with an artist from the ‘Lead the Way Foundation’ – an organisation founded by a former Royal Marine who specialises in training and health and wellbeing projects for young people.
The schools produced two panels
each with a WW1 theme, which were incorporated into banners, which also feature a portrait of a member of the Armed Forces, associated with the War, with
either a connection to Walsall or of major significance.
The banners were hung from the memorial pillars during the service and the original artwork will be displayed in the Town Hall on Remembrance Sunday.
WFRA NEWS
Anyone wishing to join a branch can contact RHQ Nottingham for details of their nearest one.
CHESTERFIELD BRANCH
The Chesterfield branch is now very well established with 44 members and over
the past year we have taken part in many activities including Chesterfield’s Mayor elect for 2018/2019 Civic Parade and service at the Crooked Spire, a ceremony organised by Chesterfield Combined ex Services and the Borough Council to mark Anzac Day,
a commemorative service, alongside the RBL, for Martin Robinson at St Clements Church Sutton on Sea (an event which gets bigger each year as we remember our fallen comrade), Crich Pilgrimage, the unveiling of a commemorative plaque in honour of two nursing staff that served in WW1 at St Helens, Poppies on the prom in Mablethorpe, a trip to the NMA for
the Nivets Commemoration Service, our Annual Dinner, Remembrance Services and the unveiling of the new War Memorial in Westhouses Derbyshire. To end a busy
Mr Mike Webster who gave the oration and Mr Mac Powell the Walsall Standard Bearer
2018, we celebrated the presentation of the Legion d’Honneur to our WWII Veteran member, Jack Parrot. Jack, who is 97 and was also celebrating his 67th wedding
The gravestone of Martin Robinson KIA in NI in 1972
One of the panels the school children and the resident artist had produced
anniversary on the day was presented his well-deserved medal by the French Consul.
DERBY BRANCH
The Derby Branch continues to have a strong following and we welcomed some new members this year although sadly we had to say goodbye to some others and paid our respects at their funerals. We are pleased that the tradition of Badajoz Day has been revived in Derby with the Mayor raising the Red Jacket. We held our Branch Dinner as close to the date as possible and it was superbly organised by Gordon Carran and was a great success with excellent food and good company. Our guest this year was Lt Col Stuart and Mrs Wiles from the ABF and we gave a warm welcome to our friends from the Royal Marines Association, who are now regular attendees at the
event. We have also held a successful coffee morning and been involved in various Remembrance Events around the city.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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