By Press Release
By Mal Butler
His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant led an Armistice Day ceremony yesterday (Thursday) at Carisbrooke Castle’s Garden of Remembrance ahead of the weekend’s Remembrance Day services.
Susie Sheldon, High Sheriff Kay Marriott, chairman of the Isle of Wight Council Claire Critchison and council leader Lora Peacey-Wilcox were among those who attended, as did representatives of the military and police services. A two-minute silence was observed.
The Field of Remembrance was introduced in the Princess Beatrice Garden in the castle in 2010. It was established by the then Isle of Wight Lord-Lieutenant, Maj Gen Sir Martin White, as a place where residents can pay their respects around the time of Remembrance Sunday. However, this year, it was moved to the Governesses’ Lawn, adjacent to the Princess Beatrice Garden.
Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Brigadier Maurice Sheen read the Ode of Remembrance. Cllr Ian Ward, who is president of the Island’s branch of the Royal British Legion read the Kohima Epitaph, “When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say, For Your Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today.”
Cllr Ward said: “There were lots of people there, including cadets, standard bearers, Royal British Legion members and the Vectis Military Lodge. Everything went really well, and the new location for the service was very successful. Everyone had a good view of what was happening.”
Remembrance Services
Today (Friday) Sandown Town Council has arranged a small service at the War Memorial before the main service on Sunday. Also tonight, Niton Parish Church is hosting a concert, with a performance by Company B, 8pm-9.30pm. (Adults, £5, children, free).
The Isle of Wight Council will be represented at a number of services across the Island. In Newport, a maroon will be fired from the inner car park at County Hall on Remembrance Day today (Friday) at 11am to mark the start of the two minutes’ silence.
A short Service of Remembrance in Ryde Cemetery’s South Chapel, tomorrow (Saturday) at 3pm.
On Sunday, the Island’s main service of remembrance will be held in St Thomas’ Square, Newport, following a two-minute silence at 11am. Mrs Sheldon, and council chairman, Councillor Claire Critchison, will be in attendance and laying wreaths along with other dignitaries and representatives. Proceedings will start with processions led by the Royal British Legion from Drill Hall Road, Newport, at 10.30am. The wreath-laying ceremony will follow before the Remembrance Service continues in the square in Newport. There will be a second parade following the service, where HM Lord-Lieutenant will take the salute on Newport High Street.
There with be other services across the Island on Sunday. Yarmouth is hosting the West Wight event this year with a Drum Head service taking place at Warnes Lane, Playing Field, Brighstone.
There will be various other services, amongst others in East Cowes, Niton, Ryde, Sandown, St Lawrence, Shanklin, Whitwell, Chale (in the Churchyard at 1.55pm), Sandown, Havenstreet (Ashey Cemetery Memorial 3pm) and Lake Memorial (2.30pm).