10.45 am RBL Field of Remembrance Opening Service
As we witness the awful scenes in Afghanistan, our concerns for women and children are heightened, we wonder why we bothered? Here especially, we ponder the sacrifice, made by our service personnel.
Lydiard Park in West Swindon will once again be the focus of the media, in the Autumn.
Initially opened as the Royal Wootton Bassett, Field of Remembrance in 2010 the Field of Remembrance in Lydiard Park is sited annually in the Walled Garden, one of a number of Fields of Remembrance organised by the Royal British Legion nationally.
This Field with a specific section remembering those who have died in Afghanistan, in areas year by year a poignant photograph of each individual is shown.
An opening service at 10.45am on Thursday 28th of October will take place.
This year, with permission from Lydiard Park and the Royal British Legion, we will be leading a very short Act of Reflection each day the Garden is open. From Thursday 28th of October till Monday the 29th November at 2.00pm we will stop and pause, remember and reflect.
Also on the nationally important days, Acts of Remembrance will take place at 10.45am on the 11th and 14th of November.
We have created more opportunities for each of us to stop, for the local community to stand alongside those who will travel miles to see and be, within this Field of Remembrance.
As a child of the sixties my childhood, teens and even early adulthood were not really impacted by conflict, it was only with the Falklands Conflict and the stories of my late grandparents that my awareness was heightened. Although as each generation passes, I am fearful we will forget the sacrifices made for our freedom yesterday and today. I am hopeful that the stories told of the brave men and women who lost their lives in or as a result of the conflict in Afghanistan today, and in the last twenty years will help us, as we ponder WHY? to remember them in the years to come, and to continue to support the work of the Royal British Legion. From whom I quote,
We understand that the ongoing events in Afghanistan are distressing and difficult for members of the British Armed Forces, veterans, their families, and the families who lost loved ones in the conflict. Many people have already contacted the RBL. Our vital message to the Armed Forces community is that you are not alone, we stand ready to support you, we encourage you to reach out to one another, and we urge anyone who is struggling to contact us on 0808 802 8080 or visit www.rbl.org.uk.
“Remember”
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old, Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning. We will remember them.
We will remember them.
Rev Capt Clive Deverell C.A. B.A.
Vicar of West Swindon and Lydiard Tregoze.
01793 877111 clive.deverell@btinternet.com