Rob Forsyth

 Lighting of the VE 70 Beacon Friday 8th May 9.15pm at Tomwell Farm

 

VEBeacon-7

 

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The 70th Aniversary of the end of the war in Europe was marked by the lighting of beacons across the nation. Deddington's was one of them.

This welcome and introduction was given but no record was taken of who delivered it!

"Hello to all who have come to pay tribute at Deddington Parish’s VE day 70th anniversary commemoration. Some of us undertake to commemorate VJ day in August by some suitable means. Like some here today, we were active in this conflict and we must commemorate this too. We have had a nationwide reading and two bugle calls.

I now want to read you words spoken on this day 70 years ago by a man whose death we remembered only a few weeks ago:
'God bless you all. This is your victory! It is the victory of the cause of freedom in every land. In all our long history we have never seen a greater day than this. Everyone, man or woman, has done their best. Everyone has tried. Neither the long years, nor the dangers, nor the fierce attacks of the enemy, have in any way weakened the independent resolve of the British nation. God bless you all' and later Churchill went on to remind the crowds the war against Japan was still to be won."

At 21:28 the Last Post was sounded and following Tribute made:


" •    We should remember those who gave their lives at home and abroad, whose sacrifice enables us to enjoy the peace we have today.
  •    Remember those too who came home wounded, physically and mentally, and the friends and family who cared for them.
  •    Remember those who returned to restore their relationships and rebuild their working lives after years of conflict and turmoil.
  •    Remember also the families that lost husbands, wives, sons, mothers, daughters and sweethearts.
  •    Remember the servicemen and women of other nationalities and faiths – from Commonwealth and Allied countries – who fought, suffered and died during six years of war.

We also include those in reserved occupations and the brave people who kept us safe on the home front – the doctors and nurses who cared for the wounded, the men and women who toiled in the fields, those who worked in the factories and the air-raid wardens, police officers, firemen, ambulance drivers and the young people of the Scouts and Guides who all played such a vital role.


Let us think about the sacrifices made and the freedoms those sacrifices gave us – that includes being able to cast a vote as many of us did yesterday to decide our own futures.

The lighting of this beacon and bonfire will be started by Captain Ted Johnson, Deddington’s oldest veteran of the Second World War – assisted by Barney Neal, Philip Trinder & Olli Betteridge from Explorer Scouts and Kieran and Malachy Power Lydon from the Boys Brigade

At 21:32 as the fire took hold, Reveille was sounded...

"Thanks and dismiss – I invite anyone interested to wait for the potatoes in the ashes. Also if anyone is available Sunday at 11:00am to help clear this little lot up I’d be grateful …"

 
Stewards were Susan Fuller, David Rodgers, Neil Clinkard and James Privett,
First Aider was Maureen Cox
Chris Fenemore attended with the Deddington Retained Fire crew and pump
Photographer: Alasdair ‘Gilly’ Gill - see images in the Gallery Album

On Sunday 10 May the RBL Branch organised a parade from the Bull Ring for a special service at 3.00pm in the Parish Church which included several Standards of nearby Branches and those of local youth organisations