A round up of this years Festival of Remembrance.
What an incredible day this years Festival was and the turnout of local people was amazing.
The weather was kind which made the day a big success and all the hard work from our volunteers ensured the day ran smoothly.
With thanks to the Parish Council for gaining permission to close the roads and Colin Russell for collating our road closure volunteers, ensured all who took part were safe.
Lt Col Jim Skelton PWRR for providing three flag poles which flew the US Flag for our visiting Path Finder SM Sgt Steve Ekker US Air Force, the Union Jack and Tri Service Flag.
Mr & Mrs Devoil who kindly provided tea & coffee to all wreath layers and volunteers prior to the Festival commencing.
All our wreath layers for taking the time to remember those who have fallen,
Royal Navy Lt Rod Royce, British Army Lt Col Jim Skelton, Royal Air Force Crew Master Michael Childs, REME Mrs Silvia Hazelwood, RAMC Mr Robert Marson ex RCT, Borneo Veterans Mr Derek Cox ex RA, Op Banner Mr Kenneth William Taylor BEM ex RA, Mr Mark Ramage ex RAF Parish Council, 1st Colsterworth Brownie & Scouting Group & Forces Equine Mrs Debi Heath French ex RS. This was followed by all our villages & guests who wanted to lay personal memories for those they had lost. We would like to add that if you would like to lay a wreath, please do so.
Local young lady Leah kindly played the Last Post & Reveille and we had volunteer speakers from our Brownie & Scouting group, Mr Sam Hainsworth ex RAF, Mr Maurice Taylor ex RAF, Capt David Heath French RAMC, Lt Col Jim Skelton PWRR, Mr Derek Cox ex RA, our vicar Neil and SM Sgt Steve Ekker US Air Force.
It was a special celebration of 75 years of D-Day and as SM Sgt Ekker is attached to the Pathfinders, he was pleased to come along and share this special day and made a very poignant speech.
After our service at St John The Baptist Church, most attended afternoon celebrations at the White Lion where Mr & Mrs Dave Smith had laid on 40's style music.
Mrs Margaret Winn organised her "Bake for a Veteran" and all who had served or married to, were able to sit back and sample lots of different cakes and sausage rolls as a way of a thank you.
Jackie Taylors' the "Poppy Ladies" carried on selling their kitted poppies and guess how many poppies making a fantastic £541.00 for the Royal British Legion and our Church. The CFoR (Colsterworth Festival of Remembrance) Hamper was drawn and the lucky winner, Mrs Lucie Cox grabbed the first prize. Thank you to so many who donated other prizes, without your help and contributions we would never have raised the £1,408.00 that the hamper & raffla made.
The day was simply amazing and all for a good cause but without the strong Village support, the day would never have been the success that it was #WeSaluteYou
Date for your diary;
Friday 8th May 2020
Colsterworth Street Party to celebrate 75 years of VE Day
More details to follow shortly.