Lest We Forget
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CostaBlancaPeople 13th-19th November
REMEMBRANCE There were a series of services held across the Costa Blanca. A crowded church in La Siesta played host to Saturday’s ceremony where the RBL standards, as well as those of RAFA, RNA and RMA, were accompanied by the music of Torrevieja Pipes and Drums. During the service, prayers were offered by Fr Richard Seabrook before the Last Post was played by Ian Gibson of the JB Brass Band. Music was also provided by the Royal British Band in Spain led by David Last with vocals by Crescendo International choir. Andy Kirkbride sang ‘Bring him home’ after which the standards, followed by dignitaries and wreath holders, moved to the cenotaph located in the church garden area where wreaths were laid. On Sunday morning, hundreds gathered at the church in Mil Palmeras where the Orihuela Costa and District Branch held its annual service led by Pastor Keith Brown. Such was the extent of the crowd, the service was transmitted on a a large screen to a congregation of over 600 people.
Photos: David Stokes
This year, Remembrance Sunday fell on the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, making the commemorative events even more poignant.
Guests included the British Vice Consul Sara Munsterhjelm and the Chairman of the RBL Spain District North, Don Cubbon. They were joined by the mayor of Pilar de la Horadada, Ignacio Ramos, and five of his councillors along with Orihuela councillors Sofia Alvarez and Luisa Boné. The standards were led to the church accompanied by Torrevieja Pipes and Drums and the Last Post was performed again by Ian Gibson. The RBL band provided musical accompaniment throughout the service. There was an incredibly moving performance of ‘Bring him home’ by RBL supporter Stevie Spit. The ceremony moved out to the brand new Garden of Remembrance, where dignitaries and guests laid wreathes in remembrance and members of the public added their own poppy crosses in memory of family
members and lost friends. Gran Alacant and La Marina Branch of the Royal British Legion, in association with the Ayuntamiento of San Fulgencio, also held their annual Service of Remembrance on Sunday while The Royal British Legion in Hondon Valley had conducted theirs a day earlier in Hondon de las Frailes. The final event of the weekend took place in Campoverde on Sunday evening.
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