A day to remember

Remembrance Sunday starts at 10:30 at Netteswell Cross. By the time I arrive, there's already a crowd gathered, and after chatting with members of the Legion, I take my place next to the Civic wreath. Revd Albert Watson leads the service, and Chris Enright does the reading.

The names of the men of Netteswell parish who were killed in the First and Second World Wars: Cyril Riley, Francis Riley, Tom Riley, Henry Belbin, George Cordell, Alfred Winch, Joseph Calver, Alfred Hale, Lee Lewis, Charlie Thompson, William Wheatley, John Wood; RH Genesis DFM, LN Elvis, AR Hyles, JA Knight, CE Linsell, KP Searl. And, of course, today is especially a day to remember Private Robert Foster, who gave his life in Afghanistan only a few weeks ago.

I'm first to lay a wreath at the foot of the cross, followed by the MP, political party representatives, youth councillors and representatives of different branches of the services. At the end of the service, the MP and I stand together for the march past - "eyes right!"

Over coffee kindly provided by the Greyhound pub afterwards, everyone agrees that there have been more people at the service than in previous years - whether down to the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, the recent loss of a young man from our own community, the publicity given to the new national services memorial in Staffordshire, we don't know, but we all agree it's a good thing that we remember those who have given their lives in the cause of our liberty.

In the evening, the Playhouse is hosting a Festival of Remembrance, as it has done for several years. The hire of the theatre is expensive, and I've been approached for a donation from my Chairman's budget towards the cost of the event - a request I'm certainly more than willing to agree to.

Nick and I arrive at seven, and greet Legion members and others in the bar. We're joined tonight by the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Lord Petre. The event kicks off promptly, with a range of hymns, marches, more modern film music, and a singalong of World War II favourites. The Harlow Concert Band is the mainstay of the evening, with the Salvation Army Singing Company also providing an interlude of modern religious songs.

Revd Albert Watson is in attendance again, providing a comic 'dramatic presentation' as well as more serious food for thought. And an explanation is given of the meaning of some of the standards which are borne on and off during the evening. Lord Petre gives a short speech, and remarks that, at this event too, the numbers are greater than usual. It's good to know that, at the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will very much remember them.