Last night, Holmes Chapel Parish Council was proud and honoured to work with Churches Together and the Holmes Chapel Royal British Legion to commemorate 80 years of the D-Day Landings.
The evening began at 6.30pm when the bells of St Luke's Church rang out for peace, which was a fitting and beautiful start to what was to be a wonderful evening. This was followed by a poignant and reflective Churches Together Service in St Luke's Church at 8.15pm which included film clips of D-Day. It was wonderful to see the Church full of attendees and our grateful thanks go to all those who took part in creating and organising such a beautiful service. A special shout out to the PA team who worked so hard on the sound system enabling those outside the Church to hear the service and Commemorations.
Attendees then gathered around the war memorial to listen to the reading of the International Tribute, written specifically for this occasion. At 9.15pm this tribute was read out around the UK. Grateful thanks go to our seven readers: Cllr Chris Jackson (Chair of the Parish Council), Cllr Brian Bath (representing the Youth Council), Mike Wyman (Cheshire Fire Service), Julian Bond (Royal Navy), Janet Chettle (representing local Churches), Ruth McNeil (Chair of the U3A) and Malcolm Coates (Chair of Holmes Chapel RBL).
The Clerk and Deputy Clerk of the Parish Council were honoured to lay a wreath on behalf of the people of Holmes Chapel. Flowers in the wreath had been specifically chosen for their meaning: Rosemary for Remembrance, Lavender for Peace, White Roses for Loyalty, Pink Roses for Love & Admiration and White Lilies for Purity & Rebirth.
The laying of the wreath was followed by the lighting of the beacon - joining hundreds of communities across the UK in honouring the ultimate sacrifice made by so many 80 years ago. Our grateful thanks to Cllr Mike Street and our Holmes Chapel Fire Officers for organising, lighting and manning the beacon.
Alongside the event, we thank Mr Paul Bevan for generously bringing his tank into the village for all to enjoy. It was a spectacular site and a lovely addition to the Commemorations.
These events do not happen by themselves. To the primary school children for creating beautiful pictures, to those who decorated the church yard, to the PA team from Churches Together, to Sam Dale's and Morrey's for donating the gas for the beacon, to those who organised and led the service, to the tribute readers, to the beacon lighters, to the bell ringers, to the stewards and finally to all members of the organising committee - thank you for all your hard work behind the scenes and on the day to make this event such a special day. We hope the residents of Holmes Chapel found it a poignant and special evening.
"They shall not grow old,
As we who are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them,
Nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun
And in the morning,
We will remember them.
Lest we forget."
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