2025 VE Day 80th Anniversary

In this section

 Rob Forsyth

Under construction

 

     Courtesy of The Banbury Guardian                                                                        

 

 

This event, commemorating the end of war in Europe 80 years ago on 8 May 1945, was blessed with dry, albeit cold, weather and the bonus of the noisy Market Place bin collections having being completed before the Flag raising ceremony began at 10.00. Primary School Year 6 pupils played a leading role in hoisting The Union Flag and singing of the National Anthem accompanied by members of Deddington Brass. A copy of the programme for the ceremonies can be found HERE

L to R: Canon Christopher Hall and Commander Rob Forsyth  with flag hoisters Joshua Odell & Francesca Eriksen

 

 

 

 

The ceremonies in the Market Place (l) and at the War Memorial (r) were attended by a very large crowd including Oxfordshire RBL Chairman, our MP, leaders of local authorities, the Fire Brigade and Primary School pupils

 

 

 

 

Pipe Major Duffy led us in procession to the War Memorial to the tune of ‘The Battles O’er’...

...where the 13 men who died in WWII were remembered and a 2-minute silence observed click on image for [insert]video

 

The  ‘Flowers of the Forest’ Lament was played during the laying of wreaths

Click on the links below to see videos of the laying of wreaths by:

RBL       Mr Steve Kingsford Oxfordshire Chairman and pupil....
RN        Commander Rob Forsyth and pupil Sammy....
Army     Major David Hood MC and pupil George....
RAF       Pilot Officer John Pearson and pupil .........

 

Deddication of RBL Branch Standard

On conclusion, it also being the 100th Anniversary of the Deddington RBL Branch, Canon Hall re-dedicated our Standard (insert video link)

Pipe Major Duffy then led us back to the Market Place to the tune of ‘Highland Laddie’ and ‘We are sailing’.

Lighting of the Parish Council Beacon

 At 9.30pm I was privileged to put the flame to a very large Bonfire with a Beacon on top at Tomwell Farm just outside Hempton  preceded by a Fanfare played by two members of Deddington Brass. It burned fiercely and was visible for miles around; so much so, and to the delight of the young scout troop attending, it  required the Fire Brigade to turn a hose on a nearby hedge

Gallery

These images and many more can be found in the VE80 Album in our gallery