The Standards dipped in remembrance
Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Smith
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For the 28th year in succession Reading Central Corps hosted a Civic Service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance. The Mayor of Reading Councillor Riaz Chaudhri and his mayoress were among the special guests.
Brian Parkhouse a Reading Central Salvationist and a local British Legion Chaplain organised the event. British Legion groups and Service organisations attended with their banners contributing to a large congregation. The service was led by Commanding Officer Samuel Edgar, and the speaker was Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Smith, Principal Director at the Headquarters of the Corps of Army Music, Kneller Hall. He is a serving Salvationist of the Trowbridge Corps and delivered an uncompromising Christian message.
Musical sections of the Corps and vocal soloist Debbie Crane contributed appropriate and much appreciated contributions before a moving act of Remembrance. This was led by Sir Thomas Boyd-Carpenter KBE, President of The Royal British Legion for Berkshire as poppy petals fluttered from the ceiling onto the dipped Union Flag and Royal British Legion County Standards.
Report by Patricia Bennett
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