The Shotley V J Day event went very well with the Service at the Church of St. Mary’s, running smoothly.
The March in was to the music “Over the Hills and far away”, the service used mostly new material found by the Shotley Chairman and the Local Vicar. The service ended at the Naval Cemetery where there are Dutch, Danish/Norwegian and British War Graves. There were 12 Standards on the 1st Parade at the Church and a special handmade wreath was laid by the Branch Chairman and one of the Burma Deceased/ Fallen’s family
The reception followed at Shotley Village Hall where there was plenty to eat and a special commemorative cake had been made for the event.
The Loyal Toast was made to the Queen, the Survivors and the Fallen, as well, whilst the Event Chairman Brian Ives was thanked by Gary Richens, of Shotley Parish Council, for organising the event on behalf of everyone.
Many thanks on behalf of the Shotley Peninsula to the County Chairman of the Suffolk RBL for attending, the seven different parish councillors for attending as well as all Standard Bearers who attended.
Thanks also to Shelagh Lockwood (Woodbridge and Witnesham RBL), Jane and Steve Leach (Shotley Scouts) for help with the drinks and cake, and Will Ives for helping to set up the Hall. Over seventy attended the service and reception, not bad, considering other Non-commemorative events in the county were moved to this Historic Commemorative W/E. Fifteen Flags/ Standards were paraded by the end of the day. The Standards were from the RBL, the Royal Netherlands Consulate, Royal Anglian / Suffolk Old Comrades, RAF Regiment Assn (Suffolk) and The Royal Naval Association. The Peninsular Parish Councils were invited and they were (those who attended in bold) Shotley Chelmondiston, Erwarton, Woolverstone, Stutton, Holbrook, Harkstead, Brantham, East Bergholt, Tattingstone, Freston.
The event was organised and run by Shotley RBL Branch Committee, on behalf of the Shotley, Chelmondiston Parish Councils and Suffolk County Council, not forgetting the important help of, the Reverend Liesbeth Oosterhof of the Shore Line Benefice with the service.
The event was funded by Shotley PC, Chelmondiston PC, UK Veterans, and Suffolk County Council (Cllr David Wood) Locality Budgets. It was supported by the three main supermarkets, local shops and pubs as well. Event Attendance Certificates have been sent to all Standard Bearers from RBL Branches, other Associations and to a Shotley Scout Flag Bearer, who attended the event. A draw raised £90 for The Ex Service Charities.
Shotley RBL also took part in this year’s Flower Festival which was themed Music from Opera, Operettas and Musicals. The Shotley entry was from the Beggars Opera and covered Waterloo 200 with the Recruiting Sergeants Song “Over the hills and far away.” (Familiar wot! Sharpe Series and Light Infantry March).
The Branch also commemorated Minden Day 1st August as it does each year with the laying of Yellow and Red Roses at its church memorial.
Shotley Branch AGM takes place on 7th October 2015 and is looking for a new Treasurer as Tony Slatter is stepping down.