East Garston

Preceded by the sound of half muffled bells rung by our own band of bellringers, Remembrance was marked in East Garston with the customary Saturday service in the centre of the village at the War Memorial. The Revd Tony Cumberlidge, former Army Chaplain for 17 years, who served in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, The Falkland Islands as well as many other postings, designed and introduced this service in East Garston in 2004 – two months after coming to take up his ministry in the Lambourn Valley. The service has become increasingly important to us in the village and to those who regularly join us from our sister parishes.

For the third year running The Wantage Youth Brass graced the service with their presence. 25 players aged from 10 to 21years came with the Band leader, Roger Middlebrook. They will be remembered for their performance at the East Garston fete in September 2010.

This year for the first time the band marched along Station Road to the War Memorial and also for the first time played Nimrod. They brought a poignant touch to the service, not just through their memorable playing throughout, but because of their commitment to the occasion of Remembrance

Seventy people gathered this year, young as well as those old enough to remember the two World Wars. The service this year was conducted by The Revd Canon David Winter, to honour the sacrifice made by so many, for our freedom today.

We were reminded by Canon Winter of the very significant loss of life in East Garston especially in the Great War and the dramatic impact this must have had on the community.

The playing of Last Post by 11year old Matthew Ellacott and of Reveille by 13 year old Olivia Middlebrook was remarkable, though a painful reminder that young people not much older than these two, fought in The Great War, and many never returned, or if they did their lives were scarred forever.

Wreaths were laid on behalf of The Royal British Legion, East Garston Parish Council and All Saints Church, East Garston. Laurence Binyon’s Lines were given by Col Marcus Coombs and the Kohima Epitaph by Terence Butler, formerly Sgt PWRR. The Lesson was read by Andrew James, Trooper, Artist Rifles. The Revd Tony Cumberlidge, still recovering from serious illness, was very fittingly able to lead The Act of Dedication at the service.

This very moving occasion was concluded at The Queens Arms. Adam and Chrissie very hospitably invited all of us to coffee there. Thank you both, for your kindness and generosity.

Remembrance Sunday Service at All Saints' Church East Garston

The Revd Nigel Sands conducted our Remembrance with Holy Communion Service, which although a different occasion from the Saturday Service at the War Memorial, was just as poignant. Dawn Tonge called the Roll of Honour: the East Garston men who gave their lives and never returned from The Great War or the Second World War. This included Dawn’s Uncle David Pounds. She then placed a wreath upon the tablet bearing the men’s names.

After the two minutes silence The Revd Sands read Laurence Binyon’s Lines – They shall grow not old.............. This was followed By Col Marcus Coombs introducing that most famous Great War poem “In Flanders Fields” by Lt Col John McCrae, which he then read tenderly and painfully.

The Revd Sands address on the theme of Remembrance, spelt out the terrible realities of war and the importance of remembering those who returned, scarred and injured, as well as those who did not. Revd Sands drew attention to the arrangement by Diana Pilling of Poppies, Rosemary (for remembrance) and rusty barbed wire, which captured the spirit of the occasion. The Holy Communion Service then resumed. A donation to The Royal British Legion from the collection, will be made.

Photos : Martyn Wright
( unless otherwise credited)
All Text : Sally Wright

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