THE 2020 Farnham Festival of Remembrance will be hosted on the website of the Parish of Badshot Lea and Hale on Saturday, November 7, from 6pm.
Covid restrictions mean that it has been impossible to hold the festival in its home in St John’s Church, Hale. But, nothing daunted, the organisers and participants have gone online, recording themselves separately, with the whole being put together to create a moving event which pays tribute to all those who have served in times of conflict and peace.
This year’s festival will also commemorate the 75th anniversary of both VE and VJ Day which marked the end of the Second World War.
Everyone is welcome to tune in and pay their respects online at https://badshotleaandhale.org/2020/11/07/farnham-festival-of-remembrance-2/
Local MP Jeremy Hunt will open the festival and he will be followed by an assortment of readings, reflections, prayers, poems, songs and hymns and the National Anthem played by Farnham Brass Band.
Simon Alexander, the main organiser, reflected on the thinking behind the event: “Each November as a community and a nation we take a moment to pay tribute to the service men and women of our Armed Forces in an act of Remembrance.
“Living in Farnham, the presence of military service is all around us: Farnham, the home of the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment; neighbouring Aldershot, the home of the British Army; nearby Odiham, one of the bases of our Royal Air Force; and Sandhurst, the home of our world-renowned Military Officers Academy to name just a few.
“Remembrance is a time for us to pay tribute to these brave men and women who serve so selflessly to protect and defend our nation and our freedom.
“War comes in many forms and, as such, the public service of our Armed Forces comes in many forms too. This year we have leant on the help of our military again in our time of need here at home to help us deliver essential services during the pandemic. Dedicated, agile and responsive as ever, the men and women of our Armed Forces have responded to our nation’s call.
“As we embark on our annual national commemorations of remembrance please join us online along with the Royal British Legion; Princess of Wales Royal Regiment; Sea, Army and Air Cadets; Jeremy Hunt MP; the Mayor of Farnham; Farnham Brass Band; local schools and a range of readers, soloists and performers for the Farnham Festival of Remembrance 2020, whom we thank for their time and skill in contributing, and let us together not forget our service men and women, past, present and future.”