| 13 November, 2005 - Remembrance
Day in Wivenhoe
The day was exceedingly bright with just a hint of an Autumn nip in the air. Maybe it was the weather which helped to swell the number of people who attended this year's Remembrance Service held this time in St Mary's Church; perhaps though it was something deeper that brought people out in greater numbers. With nearly 200 people attending the Young People's Act of Remembrance in the Wm Loveless Hall at the same time as the service in St Mary's, that afterwards led to a record crowd standing around the renovated War Memorial. The day was made more special by a squad of soldiers from 7th Para joining people from Wivenhoe to honour the names on the Memorial, for which they helped raise money during the year by hosting a Dinner in their Officers Mess. As usual, the band of the Colchester Boys Brigade led members of the Wivenhoe branch of the Royal British Legion, local MP Bernard Jenkin and his wife Anne, Wivenhoe Town Council, Borough Councillors and County Cllr Julie Young plus a large number of other people, including local St John Ambulance members in a procession from the Congregational Church down the High Street to St Mary's Church, followed by the squad from 7th Parachute Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery. Several officers from the Colchester Police provided an escort to ensure safety. The Service in St Mary's and afterwards around the War Memorial was conducted by Rev David Thomas and Pastor Patrick Baxter. One innovation this year was the singing of the National Anthem standing around the War Memorial instead of inside the Church. This was led by MP Bernard Jenkin. The other innovation was the invitation of the Town Council and the Wivenhoe Branch of the Royal British Legion to go to the William Loveless Hall for refreshments. Copies cups of tea were produced by the ladies of the Legion and a wonderful buffet had been prepared by Carol Whymark earlier in the day.
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