Remembrance Service 2021 - Berck

After our service at Etaples, we travelled on to our Twin Town of Berck-sur-Mer, to the local school and had a welcome hot drink with pastries. These were provided by Colette Martel and members of Berck Twinning. After our comfort break, we headed to the Cemetary for the French Town Remembrance Services and wreath-laying.

The Town Band, Mayor, Dignitaries, school children and the general public were all gathered, ready to parade. Our group was allotted places in the procession, with Chris McNeilly being asked to lead the Band. Along the way, there were grass areas strewn with yellow and white chrysanthemum petals, as a mark of respect and during the service, school children laid flowers at individual headstones. This is another very poignant part of the day.

The town VIPs lay large beautiful displays of flowers at the War Memorial, each person is called up by name to pay their tribute. We were also called forward to place the wreaths from Hythe and Cheriton Branch of the Royal British, Hythe Twinning Association and the Royal Air Force Association.

After the services, the procession was led to the Town Hall by the band, where the played music and presentations were made to various local people. After which a glass of wine was enjoyed by the adults present and the children were given cones of sweets.

As is tradition, the Hythe group had a rendezvous at the local pub for pre-lunch drinks, along with our French friends. We then 'sojourned' to the restaurant for a superb meal and a glass or two of wine. We were joined by our Twinning friends and the Deputy Major, Bernard Morgenthaler. The customary speeches were followed by the reading of a poem by Gavin, on behalf of Margaret Howell.

We returned to Hythe and we were happy to hear that an Armistice Day held here had been very well attended. So, we felt the people of our lovely town had paid a small part in Tribute to the Fallen.