2023 Remembrance Sunday

The most important date in the branch calendar, Remembrance Sunday.  

A wet day this year, so it worth noting that Benn Hitchen, Sutton Scotney Branch RBL Standard Bearer, and Karen Ralph, Sutton Scotney Women's Section Standard Bearer, adopted the 'wet and muddy' routine.  At approximately £1000 per Standard, the flags must be looked after and protected from water damage.  The 'wet & muddy' routine means that when the standard is dipped, the flag pole is brought straight down to the horizontal position, suspending the flag just above the ground.  While an effective method of protecting the flag, it is hard work for the Standard Bearer to maintain for the full 2 minute silence.  However, credit must also be given to the six young children from the Scout movement who also paraded alongside the RBL Standard Bearers and also maintained the position.

As usual there was a fantastic turnout from Sutton Scotney and the surrounding villages to hear the name of the fallen, between 1914 and 2007 being read out.

Alongside the RBL, representatives from the Navy, Army, Air force, Fire & Rescue Service, Parish Council, an extensive contingent from the Scouts and also the Barton Stacey School Base Club, all came out to parade and lay a wreath.  Our most sincere thanks go out to them all.

Our thanks also to local resident, Richard Solomons, who took on responsibility for the first time this year in banging Victoria Hall's bell when the time came at 11 o'clock.

Immediately after the parade at the War Memorial, the Vicar and two RBL Standard Bearers debunked and made their way to the Holy Trinity Church in Wonston for the Church Service.

The church service went very smoothly with the collection going towards the Poppy Appeal.  After the service it was a pleasure for the attending members of the RBL to share a few words with the congregation.

Benn Hitchen

Sutton Scotney & District Branch Standard Bearer