Remembrance Day celebrations

Ken Moss · 15-11-2010, 08:47

As I have previously posted, yesterday in Rishton was a truly wonderful sight with thousands lining the streets and standing room only in the church. The brass band made the parade a very uplifting event and the churches all worked together to give us the best celebration of remembrance we've had in the village for years. The 1940s party at the Conservative club was superb, with lots of bunting and The Forces Sweethearts singing songs from the era to an enthusiastic crowd.

Thanks must go to our (presumably exhausted) Mayor for coming to present awards to the local cadets after visiting many other wards already during the course of the day, still with Rossendale to go after he had finished.

More people turn up every year, it is becoming the highlight of the Rishton calendar and it was an honour to have been part of the proceedings.

How did things go in other wards?

garinda · 15-11-2010, 08:51

I think a vote of thanks should go to Hyndburn Borough Council, for the great efforts they go to, to make Rememberance Day special.

It's never been as well supported and organised, borough wide.

It is appreciated.

lancsdave · 15-11-2010, 10:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Moss

The 1940s party at the Conservative club was superb, with lots of bunting and The Forces Sweethearts singing songs from the era to an enthusiastic crowd.

Maybe I'm old fashioned but wouldn't that be more suited to a VE Day celebration ?

Ken Moss · 15-11-2010, 10:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by lancsdave

Maybe I'm old fashioned but wouldn't that be more suited to a VE Day celebration ?

The event leaned more towards the World Wars than more recent conflicts but it worked well and set a very patriotic tone for the afternoon, raising plenty of money for the Royal British Legion along the way.

Acrylic-bob · 15-11-2010, 16:09

I know the chavs and chavettes of our little piece of England need little excuse and less encouragement to get rat-arsed on any day of the week. I am sure that if you put a cabbage on the stage of the Con club and told them it was Robbie Williams not only would they believe you but 95% would not even notice that it wasn't and you would still probably sell all your tickets.

But, pardon me for being a little pedantic here, Ken, don't you think that linking "Remembrance Sunday" and "celebration" in the same phrase gives entirely the wrong impression of what is the most sombre day in the national calendar?
I had hitherto been under the impression that Remembrance Sunday was intended as a day when the nation paused in its headlong pursuit of pleasure and profit and called to mind the apalling sacrifice offered on behalf of the nation by the dead of two world wars. Regardless of how much might be raised for a worthy cause, do you not find it just a tad tacky, tasteless and disrespectful to be holding a fancy dress knees-up?

As has already been mentioned by lancsdave, VE Day and VJ Day are more appropriate occaisions for a WW2 themed knees-up, not Remembrance Sunday.

Please, could we not show a little more respect?

ossy kid · 15-11-2010, 16:48

Couldn,t agree with you less Bob. We go to the cenotaph, pay our respects to all of the heroes, lay wreaths, hold our minutes silence, say prayers, shed some tears and then do what, I'm sure, our parents, grand parents, uncles and aunts went to war for, celebrate our freedom. There were about 3000 people attended the service here, a very solemn hour followed by soup and sandwiches, a dance and sing along at the legion.

Acrylic-bob · 15-11-2010, 17:23

This article may give you pause for thought....

The mawkishness that shows Britain no longer knows what its heroes are dying for | Mail Online

Less · 15-11-2010, 17:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Moss

The event leaned more towards the World Wars than more recent conflicts

Erm' Ken, celebration or not, VE day was, Victory in Europe Day at the surrender of the Germans, I think that was one of the World Wars, (World war eleven? II?).

Ken Moss · 15-11-2010, 18:07

Wow, I must choose my words more carefully with you lot!

The day may have been heavily-themed towards the two World Wars and it may have involved a great deal of celebrating but that celebration was of British pluck in the face of adversity and money raised is going to help the wounded and families of the deceased.

I was proud to be part of it anyway, not a bad word has been spoken about any of it in Rishton.

Less · 15-11-2010, 18:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Moss

I was proud to be part of it anyway, not a bad word has been spoken about any of it in Rishton.

Was this your first? People tend to make a bigger fuss over their first, though after a while they all end up very similar, Plenty of respect being shown not just from old warriors but the Cadets, scouts and other brigades the youth always put on a good show as well.

DaveinGermany · 15-11-2010, 18:38

The old boys wearing their medals, heads bowed & remembering their turbulent youth & friends long gone, the young widow with her Elisabeth cross & small children wearing their dead fathers beret & medals standing in quiet, solemn reflection. The last post, the gathered public observing the silence, reveille.

A paying of respect to those who fought & died in the past & right on up to the present day giving their lives so we can enjoy ours in what passes for freedom & peace in these modern times.

To my mind that is remembrance.

Heroes ? No ! Even they would just smile & deny it with the glib reply
"Nah mate ! I'm no hero, just doing my job & looking out for me mates, anyone would've done it !" Really ?
Exceptional men, with the courage of their convictions & an overriding sense of duty, honour & discipline, prepared to give their all for their comrades & Country. Most definitely ... Yes !

cashman · 15-11-2010, 19:21

respect yes fer those who perished, personally i see nowt wrong wi respect for the families who lost em, or those injured, n if a "Do" n collection helps those left behind, i see nowt wrong wi that, to me its similar to grief oer a loved one, everyone does it in there own way, whichever is best fer them, no-ways right, no-ways wrong, ya just get on n deal wi it in the way that suits you.

Ken Moss · 16-11-2010, 07:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Less

Was this your first? People tend to make a bigger fuss over their first, though after a while they all end up very similar, Plenty of respect being shown not just from old warriors but the Cadets, scouts and other brigades the youth always put on a good show as well.

My first as a participant, yes.

Even so, far more people turned out this year than I've ever seen before, a real village event.

Barrie Yates · 16-11-2010, 23:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Moss

The 1940s party at the Conservative club was superb, with lots of bunting and The Forces Sweethearts singing songs from the era to an enthusiastic crowd.

Didn't realise you were old enough to comment on 1940s memories

Anjl · 05-12-2010, 02:15

I have re-read the quote several times Barrie. At my tender age I would be unable to comment on 1940s memories. But then neither has Ken. He has simply stated that the music as superb (fact) and that the songs were from the the 1940s era (fact).