The seven wreaths laid in the Lady Chapel.
The Remembrance Sunday service, was led by Revd. Julian Staniforth who was assisted by Revd. Nick Carpenter, took place in the church of St Mary the Virgin on November 14th.
At this service, a very full church remembered all those who made the ultimate sacrifice in WWI and in subsequent conflicts for this Nation. In the service, seven wreaths were laid in turn in the Lady Chapel. The wreaths were on behalf of the Church, the Mayor of Swale, Ferques [our twin village in France], Upchurch Parish Council, Upchurch Scouts, Upchurch Guides, and the Upchurch Brownies. The names of all those from Upchurch who made the ultimate sacrifice in WWI and WWII were then read out in the order recorded on the memorial tablets in the Lady Chapel. At 11.00 hours a bugler played the Last Post and the two minutes silence was observed.
At the end of the service, the choir led the congregation out to the middle burial ground. Wooden Remembrance crosses were laid at each of the five War Grave Commission graves by past members of the Armed or Civilian services. After the crosses were laid, all those present stood in silent Remembrance on what was a calm but overcast morning. This act concluded with prayers.
This year marks the Centenary of the Royal British Legion and it was pleasing to see the village adorned with poppies on lamp posts, knitted poppies on the church railings and elsewhere, a wooden poppy in the bus shelter, wooden poppies encasing the village signpost each with a name of the fallen and a seat at its base in the shape of a poppy. My Royal British Legion thanks to those responsible for these displays.
“WE WILL REMEMBER THEM”
Hon. Alderman Gerry Lewin - Poppy Day Appeal Organiser
