SKEGNESS METHODISTS
PAST EVENTS
10,000 Poppy Petals
Mark Remembrance Sunday
For the first time in the history of the Methodist Church in Skegness the annual Service of Remembrance was held at Algitha Road Methodist Church on Sunday November 10, 2002. A truly memorable occasion for the 400+ people who attended the service.
Mrs Christine Anderson, a Diocesan Reader gave the address. Representatives from the Baptist Church, New Song Fellowship, and the Royal Britsh Legion read the lessons and the service was also attended by representatives from the Pentacostal Church and Roman Catholic Church in Skegness.
The Rev Ian Banks read a poem at the beginnig of the service written by Mrs Barbara Davidson a former member of the church who died in February, entitled "Remembrance Day" which spoke of her experiences of the wreath laying at the War Memorial and helped link that act of remembrance with the service in the church. The Skegness Silver Band led the congregation in the singing of the hymns as did our organist Mr John Archer.
The Mayor, Councillor Gary Ellis and his wife Julia who is the Mayoress were guests at the service together with many of the town's councillors, members of the Royal British Legion and other ex-service associations, the Air Training Corp., Army Cadets, schools and uniformed organisations together with representatives from other community organisations.
Bad weather prevented the parade through the town but the wreath laying at the War Memorial outside
St Matthews went ahead as usual.
The service was drawn to a close with a very moving Act of remembrance which included the voice of
Sir Winston Churchill, the sounds of bombs and air-raid sirens, the wartime song "Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye". This was followed by a poem written and read by a member of the Church, Mrs Helen White, which spoke of her thoughts as she looked at her own son and tried to imagine what it must have been like for those mothers who had to say goodbye to their sons as they went to war. As she finished another of our members, professional singer Juia Alton, sang the song, "You'll never walk alone" to which the congregation joined in with the chorus. A member of the Silver Band then played the "Last Post" which was followed by the Exhortation read by Major Bill White, President of the Skegness branch of the Combined Ex-services Association. As Bill finished the congregation responded with the words, "We will remeber them" and Air and Army cadets released 10,000 poppy petals, which had been provided by the Royal British Legion, from the balcony. The congregation stood in silence and as the last poppy fell the Reveille was sounded and Major Bill White read the Kohima Epitaph with great emotion showing in his voice.
The Methodist Minister, Rev Ian Banks led the service assisted by the Associate Rector of Skegness, the Rev Philip Brent.
(Click on poppy to visit The Royal British Legion Web Site)
