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| Mr. Metcalfe laying a wreath on Remembrance Sunday at the War Memorial, Stanford-le-Hope. |
Stephen Metcalfe, Member
of Parliament for South Basildon & East Thurrock, has spent the weekend remembering
the fallen who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The weekend started
(11/11/17) with a special breakfast with the Basildon Borough Veterans
Breakfast Club. The commemorative breakfast was followed by an Act of
Remembrance during which at 11 am precisely they all observed silence – marking
99 years on from the end of hostilities. The occasion ended with a Toast to the
Fallen.
Basildon Borough Veterans
Breakfast Club are a group of veterans & serving members of Her Majesties
Armed Forces. Like other Veteran’s Breakfast Clubs around the country &
overseas, their ethos is one of mutual support, humour and shared outlook.
Their aim is to enhance the social life of servicemen and women, maintaining
the camaraderie enjoyed in their service days.
That evening, Mr Metcalfe then opened the production of ‘The Sons of Three Countries Remembered’ at
Woodlands School in Basildon. Part of the ‘Never Forget Project’, the evening’s
performance proved to be a great achievement, showcasing all the dedicated work
of those involved and befitting to those who have fallen for us.
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| Stephen Metcalfe MP at Woodlands School production of 'The Sons of Three Countries Remembered’ |
Mr Metcalfe said: “What a fantastic performance! Events like these are
vital to broaden people’s understanding of the war, commemorate and remember
those that were caught up in the events of a hundred years ago and to tell
stories from fresh perspectives helping inspire a sustainable legacy of
learning in the years ahead”.
The Forget Never Project was
initiated by Mr. Metcalfe and is coordinated by The Basildon Borough Heritage
Group. This formally links with Basildon's twinning towns: Meaux in France and
Heiligenhaus in Germany. The ongoing project delivers a series of commemorative
projects discussing what life was like in the 3 towns. The aim is to inform,
educate and share findings with the public through exhibition, film,
educational resources and social media.
The penultimate occasion
of the weekend of remembrance came on the Sunday (12/11/17) where Mr Metcalfe
joined members of the community of Thurrock at the War Memorial in
Stanford-le-Hope to lay a wreath as part of Annual Service of Remembrance.
Marked by words from community leaders and a parade by A Company Essex Army
Cadets, the event proved again to be ever more popular with in excess of a
thousand in attendance.
Mr Metcalfe remarked: “What a special honour I had to pay respect to our
fallen heroes by laying a wreath. It was moving to see a large turnout from the
whole community, young & old, come together to remember those brave men
& women who gave their today for our tomorrow”.
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| War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday, Stanford-le-Hope. Photo Credit: James R. Bayford Photography. |
