Page 238 - The Rifles Bugle Autumn 2019

Programme – Somerset Remembers
Riflemen at Wells 01
Gloucestershire Remembers
The Rifles West
The Taunton office covers Herefordshire, Glouces- tershire, Bristol and Somerset. For each county commemoration has been a clear theme in the past twelve months, first manifest by the centenary of the Armistice and secondly by the 75th anniversary of D Day. Notes submitted by County Colonels, Cadets, Associations and Museums all draw on this in very different ways. From Cheltenham Racecourse to our great Cathedrals at Hereford, Gloucester, Wells and Bristol. ‘Somerset Remembers’ on Tuesday 6th November 2018 marked the contribution of Somerset to the national and Allied effort during the Great War.
The story began with a procession echoing the Dedication of the County’s War Memorial in 1922. At the conclusion of the procession Somerset’s Book of Honour was handed by the Lord-Lieutenant to the Dean and placed on the Altar. The subsequent narration delivered by Mr Tom Mayberry, Chief Executive of the South West Heritage Trust, gave the event continuity, introduced key themes and a narrative spine. Music expertly delivered by Wells Cathedral School and Wells Cathedral evoked a sense of emotion, place and period to each part of the story. Readings, poetry and prose not only highlighted experiences but also announced specific news and events. A crucial part was a keynote expertly delivered by Mr Peter Snow a former National Service officer with The Somerset Light Infantry. His role was to relate the war and its legacy to the present day. Last there were two important foundations. First was Wells Cathedral and its role in safeguarding the County’s War Memorial and Book and last a comprehensive programme that could
A CRUCIAL PART WAS A KEYNOTE EXPERTLY DELIVERED BY MR PETER SNOW A FORMER NATIONAL SERVICE OFFICER
236 RIFLES OFFICES AND ASSOCIATIONS
THE RIFLES