Big Day for Sutton Scotney RBL

The Holy Trinity Church, Wonston, couldn't fit even one more Standard Bearer.  Both isles were lined end to end with Standards, their brass work gleaming, and held aloft by the white gauntleted hands of their ramrod straight Standard Bearers. 

Rightly so, for this was an auspicious day for such a small church.  Two occasions were being marked on this sunny July day.  Firstly it was the 70th Birthday of the Sutton Scotney & District Branch of the Women's Section, and so to mark the occasion, the branch standard was being re-dedicated.  A moment of great pride for the branch Standard Bearer, Karen Ralph.

In addition, a brand new Hampshire Women's Section County Standard, paraded by County Standard Bearer, Karen Graham, was being dedicated, after the previous one had been damaged during the King's Coronation.

The ceremony began with an inspection of the Standard Bearers by the High Sheriff of Hampshire Hon Whitaker, Deputy Mayor of Winchester, Clr. Sudhaker Achwal,  the Women's Section National Vice Chairman, Laura Hayworth, Hampshire's County Chairman, Tim Russell, and the Officer Commanding Worthy Down Camp, Col Stuart Allen.  The dignitaries were piped in by.  The Standard Bearers then proceeded to march into the Church and form up along both isles, filling the church.

During the service, the Standard Bearers had to stand the whole time, and for most of that time hold the
standard at the ‘carry’, this means holding your right arm at shoulder level. For one of them it was too
much, and he had to sit down.

Afterwards the guests were invited back to Victoria Hall in neighbouring Sutton Scotney, for afternoon tea, and the Women's Section had done themselves proud.  Tables were lined with pots of tea, trays of sandwiches, plates of scones, and towers of cakes. 

During the tea several awards were presented to members of the Women's Section for services to the RBL:

• Gold Award to Pauline Kean, County Chairman
• Gold Award to Karen Graham, County Standard Bearer
• Merit Award to Sue Butcher, past County Chairman
• 85th Award to Hampshire County and 70th Award to Sutton Scotney

The whole afternoon was a great success.

Benn Hitchen

Sutton Scotney & District Branch Standard Bearer