Remembrance Sunday: a Message from the Mayor
Date Added: 17/11/2021
On Sunday, the residents of Sandy turned out in large numbers to remember and pay their respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the two World Wars and conflicts in between and since. In this, the Centenary year of The Royal British Legion and following a year when such public gatherings were not possible due to the pandemic, there seemed a greater appetite than ever to demonstrate that, "We Will Remember Them".
I wish firstly to thank most sincerely every single resident who took the time to attend or take part in the parade to the War Memorial in Bedford Road, to witness and participate in the Act of Remembrance, the laying of wreaths and to thank everyone, young and old alike for their observance of the silence.
Rather than move, as in pre-pandemic times, to St Swithun's Church, the parade then marched to the Town Center where a twenty minute outdoor Service of Remembrance took place around the community stand. I wish to thank those who had the foresight to make this break with tradition; I believe their decision was, in all the present circumstances, entirely vindicated, judging not least by the reaction of those who stayed to take part and from feedback which I received on the day and since.
On behalf of the Town, my thanks go to The Reverend Huw Davies and all at St Swithun's Parish Church, to The Royal British Legion Sandy & District Branch and particularly their President, Cllr Mrs Susan Sutton, The Town Clerk, staff and members of The Events Working Group for the planning, communication and arrangements; to Mr Tim Sills DL and Mrs P Sills for their attendance, Parade Marshall SSI R. Marino; Mr Andrew Havergal for his invaluable assistance; members of The 1st Sandy Scout & Guide Reunion Band including bugler, Mr Eric Wiles and representatives of all the organisations both from outside the town and from within.
My thanks, appreciation and best wishes go to everyone involved.
Cllr Martin Pettitt
Sandy Town Mayor