Shipmates,
The following has been received from PTC and SW Markets & Events as the proposed itinerary for VE Day celebrations on the Island.
At 09:00 the VE Day flag will be raised at Victoria Square roundabout, this will be followed by the Proclamation at the American Memorial in Victoria Gardens.
From 15:00 onwards, there will be an event at the Market Ground called Honouring Our Heroes, with lots of activities taking place being organised by Southwest Market & Events. Shipmates may wish to spend some time there. (They have asked if anyone would be willing to share their military stories. This will be up to individual choice).
At 16:00 a service will be held at the Cenotaph, New Ground, conducted by Revd Tim Gomm. Your Standard will be paraded by Shipmate President. There will be an opportunity to lay wreaths if you wish to do so; Shipmate Chairman will lay a wreath on behalf of the Branch.
The service will be followed by the signing of the Armed Forces Covenant by Portland Town Council. By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, an organisation demonstrates its commitment to support the Armed Forces community.
At some point after the Service, the Standard and Branch Members have been invited to join a parade and march from New Ground to the Market Ground. They will accompany vehicles from the D-Day Centre and horses from Chesil Equestrian Centre, hopefully Shipmates will lead the procession! This should culminate with a moments silence and the ringing of bells.
At 18:30, the Ringing of the Bells will take place at St George’s Church and All Saint’s Church (Tophill) and St John’s Church (Fortuneswell).
From 20:00 there will be music from the Weymouth Concert Brass at New Ground, followed by the Beacon Lighting at 21:30.
There are no formal invitations to any of these events, but Shipmate are welcome to participate should they be inspired to do so.