There was a large turnout for the annual Remembrance Service on Sunday 13th November. A morning of blue skies and sunshine greeted those who gathered around the Village War Memorial where two minutes silence was observed before wreaths of poppies were laid.
The service was led by Ken Gibson and the preacher was Rev Richard Humphrey. The service was also supported by the Bitton and Oldland Branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL), the City and County of Bristol Army Cadet Force (ACF) and the 34th Kingswood (St Mary’s) Scout Group. The standard bearer for the RBL was Cadet Sergeant Aniket Pailkar of the City & County of Bristol ACF.
During the service, it was announced that the provisional total of the funds raised by the RBL at its stall in ASDA amounted to £17,250.
At the War Memorial the two-minute silence followed the sounding of the Last Post and ended by the Reveille played by trumpeter, Mark Wilkins. Wreath of poppies were laid by Cllr Matt Bridge, Chair of Bitton Parish Council, Cllr Erica Williams (South Gloucestershire Council) and Mrs Elaine Skidmore, representing her son, Chris Skidmore MP. Wreaths were also laid by Jeff Dando for Bitton and Oldland Branch of the RBL and Churchwarden, Simon Harris on behalf of St Mary’s Church. Other tributes were then laid at the memorial before Mrs Dawn Harrill, the local Poppy Appeal Organiser prayed the Kohima Epitaph;
‘When you go home, Tell them of us and say,
For your tomorrow, We gave our today.’
The service resumed in the church with prayers and the singing of the National Anthem. Following the service coffee was served and those attending were able to enjoy a special Remembrance Cake, decorated with a poppy.