Friday 14 September 2018

Per Ardua Ad Astra

RAF Wings Day and the commemoration of the Battle of Britain happens this weekend. A few weeks ago, the Town Council office was contacted by the local Royal British Legion to request that the RAF Ensign be flown from the Town Council flagpole over this weekend. This was briefly discussed and agreed at the Committee at the end of August. There was no request for a ceremony at all. But on reflection, and prompted by the social media post from John Mellors (see below), I thought it would be good and appropriate if at least I were present while Katharine McElligott hoisted the flag this morning. (All organised late yesterday afternoon)

So we let the RBL know and we were joined by former Squadron Leader Peter Hay. Peter joined the RAF in 1951 and stayed until 1993, a career spanning more than 40 years! My Dad was in the RAF just after the war (national service) and so I wore his old Essex tie in memory of him too.

I briefly read out the famous stanza:
They shall grow not old, as we that 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.






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Treasured Mayoral Days!