The Royal British Legion is recognised as the national custodian of Remembrance.
Remembrance Sunday, the second Sunday in November, is the day traditionally put aside to remember all those who have given their lives for the peace and freedom we enjoy today.
If you would like to read a little more about the meaning of Remembrance and symbols, this page may be of interest to you.
Javea Church Service 10th Nov 2024.
Amazing Remembrance Service at The Fisherman's Church in the port yesterday
The church was packed and Lady Elizabeth School choir was excellent
So many paid
their respects and so many wreaths were laid including Javea Feral Cat Associations War Animals wreath.
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Benitachell Church Services - 10/12th November
Costa Blanca News and Weekly Post story 2023.
Poppy Appeal Launch - Benidorm 2023
Poppy Appeal launch for Spain District North 2023
This event was hosted by the Mayor of Benidorm Toni Pérez. Thanks were given by Nick Keen, the acting Spain District North Chairman for the kindness of this city who host this annual launch for the Royal British Legions Poppy Appeal annually.
Nick welcomed the guests of honour: John Boisson - Chairman of the Legion’s Membership Council, Captain Stephen McGlory RN - the Defence Attaché from the British Embassy in Madrid, Sara
Munsterhjelm - Vice Consul from Alicante and Father Richard Seabrook - the District Padre.
The Standard Bearers under Parade Marshal Dave Brettle, took a leading role, as a visible sign of who we are and what we stand for as this is a period when we will collect the majority of the funds that we use to support veterans and their families here in Spain.
Nick also gave thanks to the day’s principal participants:
The Torrevieja Pipes and Drums, the Phoenix International Concert Band, the District Bugler -Mark Benton.
Mayor Toni Perez said “we join with you in this ceremony which is a friendly and tangible way to unite us even more closely, if that is possible, with the British people with whom we maintain ties of extraordinary friendship”.
The day also marked a special occasion for the Madrid Branch of the Royal British Legion their Standard was dedicated by Father Richard Seabrook.
The event took place starting with a Parade of Standards from Calle Castelló arriving at the dais at Rincon de Loix. The route was packed with spectators and holiday makers coupled with the sounds of thank you and clapping en route.
Rememberance/Poppy Appeal 2023
The event takes place starting with a Parade of Standards from Calle Castelló in Benidorm, stepping off at 13.00 and arriving at the dais at Rincon de Loix at approximately 13.15.
Following the parade and ceremony, there will be a lunch in the Flash Hotel from approximately 14.00.
The Ceremony is open to all, as is the lunch (pay on the day in the hotel restaurant, approximately €15.50) but those wishing to attend the lunch need to let the secretary know by email, (javea.secretary@rbl.community) AT THE VERY LATEST by Monday 25th September.
Requests for lunch after this date may not be accommodated.
Please let the secratary know A.S.A.P. if you require teansport in order that we can ascertain numbers and potentially book a mini bus.
We would very much like to see as many branch members and guests as possible at this event.
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Service of Remembrance, Javea 2022.
A rembrance service was held at the Fisherman's church Javea on Sunday 13th November 2022. A full report, and photos of the event can be found here.
Armistice Day, Moraira, 2022
A church service was held in Moraira church 0n 11/11/2022. More photos can be seen here.
ARMISTICE DAY 2021
Although most restrictions related to COVID-19 have now been lifted, we are still not able to return to our traditional service in the Fishermen's Church in Javea Port. We are sorry to have to announce that, our Armistice Day Act of Remembrance will therefore be a closed event, with attendance by invitation only. However, if you wish to join in, it will be simultaneously broadcast on PureGold Radio from 10.55 on Thursday 11th November.
You can see more photographs of the event here.
ARMISTICE DAY 2020
On Remembrance Sunday, the Sunday nearest Armistice Day 11th November, people around the world pause to honour all those who serve and who have served to defend our democratic freedoms and way of life. We unite across faiths, cultures and backgrounds to remember the service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces community from Britain and the Commonwealth; we pay tribute to the special contribution of families and of the emergency services; and we acknowledge innocent civilians who have lost their lives in conflict and acts of terrorism. Remembrance does not glorify war and its symbol, the red poppy, is a sign of both Remembrance and hope for a peaceful future.
In 2020, Remembrance Sunday fell on 8th November. In previous years it had been marked by a Remembrance Service in the Fishermen’s Church in Javea Port, organised by the Javea Branch of the Royal British Legion where locals and visitors alike pack the church to join in a simple but poignant Act of Remembrance. Sadly, current restrictions prevented this taking place in the normal format this year but the National Act of Remembrance, itself in a reduced format, will be televised from London.
The Legion here in Javea marked the day on which the guns fell silent as the Armistice came into effect at the end of World War 1 on 11th November itself. A short Act of Remembrance was livestreamed on Facebook on the ‘Royal British Legion – Javea Branch’ and ‘Javea Connect’ pages and broadcast simultaneously on Pure Gold FM, starting at 10.55am usingthe Order of Service published below.
REMEMBRANCE DAY 2019
In 2019, Remembrance Sunday fell on 10th November and once again the Fishermen's Church is Javea Port was filled to capacity as we remembered The Fallen in a moving ceremony led by Father Marcus Ronchetti. You can see the report below.
On Monday 11th November, we also supported a service that was held in nearby Moraira, and that report is also below.
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 2018
On Sunday, 11th November 2018, the Javea Branch of the Royal British Legion held its traditional Remembrance Sunday church service in the Fishermen's Church in Javea Port. You can read the report below:
A few days prior to that, the English Choir performed a moving convert in Moraira and generously donated some of the proceeds to the 2018 Poppy Appeal.
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 2017
There was a full house at the 'Fisherman's Church' in Javea Port for the annual Remembrance Sunday Service.
Roger Dawes, President of the Javea Branch of the Royal British Legion, said it was "standing room only" for an emotional service taken by Father Marcus Ronchetti of the Costa Blanca Anglican Chaplaincy.
"The Laude Lady Elizabeth School Choir was absolutely wonderful, they sang two songs and there were several soloists who went up to the microphone and sang their hearts out: it brought tears to people's eyes." he said.
He said Lea Braganini presented a 'poppy board' full of felt flowers handmade by her children's sewing group; headed "Lest We Forget", each youngster's name was beside their creation. Roger said the children had also donated more than €103 to the Poppy Appeal after Lea had explained the significance of Remembrance Day and the iconic scarlet flowers. "It was a wonderful gesture and brought tears to my eyes."
Former Wrens Karen Blair and Julie Keene laid a wreath in the church: 2017 marks the 100th anniversary of women being allowed to enlist in the Armed Forces.
From a report by Jack Troughton in Costa Blanca News
