Group involvement in parades and displays - July 2013
From the ROC Heritage Officer Edwina Holden.
The National Veterans Day at Nottingham was attended by over 70,000 people, the day was fine and warm, the queues for refreshments were long, the public sang WWII songs in front of the stage on the Concourse and danced to the ABBA Tribute Band, watched the flypast of the Red Arrows and Typhoon plus much more.
Meanwhile, the Veterans Marquee was full to the brim with displays by Veterans organisations, it was difficult to move along the aisles with so many people viewing the displays. The ROCA Heritage display caused a great deal of interest from all age groups including ‘where did my father serve, it was somewhere in Nottinghamshire in the 1960’s?’ to a young man who was incredibly intrigued and wanted things explained at length by John Shere who is used to dealing with young people in his Air Cadet role. A gentleman came along who was most surprised to see us, he knew nothing about the Association, was introduced to Diana, the Chairman of No 8 Group, so hopefully another member is gained.
As he happened to be passing, we were visited by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, - he is an Air Vice Marshal and Padre but did not say his name – he said how good it was to see the Royal Observer Corps represented.
The Heritage manning team were: Simon Craine, John Shere and myself ably assisted by Diana and Gordon Johnson and Roy Sherwin for which we are most grateful. Gordon also carried the National Standard in the long Parade from the town centre to the Veterans Day site. Altogether another very successful day for the ROC Association. E.H.
From Terry Giles No. 1 Group Maidstone
Armed Forces Week was always going to be busy with many events across the country and there was one near you. The week for Jacqui and I started on Sunday 23 June at Guildford Cathedral for their Flag Raising event to mark the start of the week to remember and celebrate all our Armed Forces both serving and veterans. On the Monday we were at the Bromley Civic Centre part of the former Bishop’s Palace and a few hundred yards from the ruins of Church House, the Centre for No 19 Group until it was bombed on the 16 April 1941. Meanwhile at County Hall in Maidstone Bryan and Margaret McCarthy were attending a similar event. It was a busy day as the afternoon Flag Raising was at the Guildhall in the City of London. A chance to tell the Lord Mayor how the OC/ROC helped to save the City; to exchange views on Benevolent Funds and the challenge of finding those in need – yes it is a common problem.
Saturday was the Armed Forces day at the Great Lines in Gillingham, Medway Council excelled themselves and the event was bigger than ever. There was a shortage of Standards on parade, apart from the Air Cadets the No1 Group’s was the only light blue one to be seen. Following the drumhead Service the Royal Engineers made a really good effort with a range of equipment on display, a bridge building competition, tug of war and a brilliant assault course for the children. Music from the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment and the Rochester Pipe Band in the arena was supplemented with a range of musician from jazz to the Gravesend Town Band at the Bandstand and the Brompton Military Wives Choir to Swingtime on the stage. There was something for everyone to make it a good day out.
Sunday (yes it was an eight day week!) was Southwark’s event in the park adjacent to the Imperial War Museum. With the Band of the Life Guards, the Pipes and Drums of the London Regiment and the Air Cadet Band made it a colourful event with a good turnout of service personnel as the Honorary Freedom of the Borough was bestowed on the Royal Marine Reserve, the London Regiment and 256 Field Hospital. To give my shoulder a rest Jacqui carried the No 1 Group Standard and I ended up as the Standard Marshall. The only time I have had cause to shout at Jacqui (and the other Standard Bearers) Entertainment was again to the fore on stage was the South London & Halton Military Wives Choir.
Two of the first consecutive days of sunshine this year, great company and a friendly atmosphere made it an enjoyable few days where the ROC is included in the forces family and the local community. Where did you go? T.G.
Picture Gallery:- With contributions from The Heritage Team, & Maidstone, Exeter, and Lincoln Groups.
The National Veterans Day at Nottingham was attended by over 70,000 people, the day was fine and warm, the queues for refreshments were long, the public sang WWII songs in front of the stage on the Concourse and danced to the ABBA Tribute Band, watched the flypast of the Red Arrows and Typhoon plus much more.
Meanwhile, the Veterans Marquee was full to the brim with displays by Veterans organisations, it was difficult to move along the aisles with so many people viewing the displays. The ROCA Heritage display caused a great deal of interest from all age groups including ‘where did my father serve, it was somewhere in Nottinghamshire in the 1960’s?’ to a young man who was incredibly intrigued and wanted things explained at length by John Shere who is used to dealing with young people in his Air Cadet role. A gentleman came along who was most surprised to see us, he knew nothing about the Association, was introduced to Diana, the Chairman of No 8 Group, so hopefully another member is gained.
As he happened to be passing, we were visited by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, - he is an Air Vice Marshal and Padre but did not say his name – he said how good it was to see the Royal Observer Corps represented.
The Heritage manning team were: Simon Craine, John Shere and myself ably assisted by Diana and Gordon Johnson and Roy Sherwin for which we are most grateful. Gordon also carried the National Standard in the long Parade from the town centre to the Veterans Day site. Altogether another very successful day for the ROC Association. E.H.
From Terry Giles No. 1 Group Maidstone
Armed Forces Week was always going to be busy with many events across the country and there was one near you. The week for Jacqui and I started on Sunday 23 June at Guildford Cathedral for their Flag Raising event to mark the start of the week to remember and celebrate all our Armed Forces both serving and veterans. On the Monday we were at the Bromley Civic Centre part of the former Bishop’s Palace and a few hundred yards from the ruins of Church House, the Centre for No 19 Group until it was bombed on the 16 April 1941. Meanwhile at County Hall in Maidstone Bryan and Margaret McCarthy were attending a similar event. It was a busy day as the afternoon Flag Raising was at the Guildhall in the City of London. A chance to tell the Lord Mayor how the OC/ROC helped to save the City; to exchange views on Benevolent Funds and the challenge of finding those in need – yes it is a common problem.
Saturday was the Armed Forces day at the Great Lines in Gillingham, Medway Council excelled themselves and the event was bigger than ever. There was a shortage of Standards on parade, apart from the Air Cadets the No1 Group’s was the only light blue one to be seen. Following the drumhead Service the Royal Engineers made a really good effort with a range of equipment on display, a bridge building competition, tug of war and a brilliant assault course for the children. Music from the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment and the Rochester Pipe Band in the arena was supplemented with a range of musician from jazz to the Gravesend Town Band at the Bandstand and the Brompton Military Wives Choir to Swingtime on the stage. There was something for everyone to make it a good day out.
Sunday (yes it was an eight day week!) was Southwark’s event in the park adjacent to the Imperial War Museum. With the Band of the Life Guards, the Pipes and Drums of the London Regiment and the Air Cadet Band made it a colourful event with a good turnout of service personnel as the Honorary Freedom of the Borough was bestowed on the Royal Marine Reserve, the London Regiment and 256 Field Hospital. To give my shoulder a rest Jacqui carried the No 1 Group Standard and I ended up as the Standard Marshall. The only time I have had cause to shout at Jacqui (and the other Standard Bearers) Entertainment was again to the fore on stage was the South London & Halton Military Wives Choir.
Two of the first consecutive days of sunshine this year, great company and a friendly atmosphere made it an enjoyable few days where the ROC is included in the forces family and the local community. Where did you go? T.G.
Picture Gallery:- With contributions from The Heritage Team, & Maidstone, Exeter, and Lincoln Groups.
