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Rottingdean WWI 100th anniversary parade and service
©Tony Mould: all images copyright protected
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A unique remembrance
Rottingdean Branch of the Royal British Legion decided to mark the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of WW1 in a rather unusual way. They put together a 'Time Capsule' which they buried on the village green by the War Memorial. Local schools, youth organisations, churches and traders as well as other organisations were invited to submit content to go in the capsule which includes an instruction that it should not be opened for 100 years.
Parade through the village
On Sunday 3rd August a parade headed by a military band, walked in procession through Rottingdean village to the War Memorial. The band was followed by a WWI horse drawn gun carriage which displayed the 'Time Capsule'. The parade included the Mayor and Mayoress of Brighton and Hove, Councillor and Mrs Brian Fitch, the High Sheriff of East Sussex, Mr Chris Gebbie, Deputy Lieutenant (Brighton and Hove) Mr Michael Chowens, Mr Simon Kirby MP, and representatives of the Royal British Legion.
After a service of blessing when the regimental standards were dipped in honour of fallen comrades, the 'Time Capsule' was lowered into the ground. Local schoolchildren were invited to cover it with soil which had been specially gathered from seventeen individual World War I battlefields. It was a very special day for the village and all those involved; a meaningful and respectful way to remember those who gave their lives in 'The Great War'.
Remembrance (54)