BATTLE OF BRITAIN DAY, SUNDAY 15th SEPTEMBER 2024
It was a beautiful sunny day, perhaps similar to that eventful day 84 years ago. The service was led by Reverend Alison Newman, Vicar of St Mark's Parish Church and Chaplain to the Chapel and 2427 Biggin Hill Squadron, Air Training Corps. Mr Mark Newman, a Lay Minister of the Church of England, was the preacher. The Chapel was full. Many Veterans attended including Peter Lemon 103, Anne Galley and Harry Winters, both centenarians. In the congregation were the Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor David and Mrs Anne-Marie Jefferys, who are, incidentally, Lay Ministers and take services in the Chapel. Mr Eric Johnstone, was our organist and Miss Vicky Mace, the bugler, provided the music. Six flags. including St George's and the Air Training Corps banner were paraded.
Licenced Lay Reader, Mr Mark Newman gave an excellent sermon, making the Congregation consider the possible truth that God does hear prayers and helps those who call on him. Seven dates in the second world war were mentioned when King George Vl th called the nation to prayer and the nation responded. The churches were full and unexpected successes happened to our Forces fighting the Luftwaffe and the German Army.
After the service , the Mayoral Party, Veterans and friends enjoyed a lunch in the Museum cafe, created and served by Dominic, his wife Nicki, Lisa, Lewie, Katie and Jack. Katie and Jack used to work at the Museum and it was a pleasure to see them again.
Our thanks to Dominic and his team (everyone gave their time voluntarily) for an excellent meal served efficiently .
Standard Bearers
Reverend Alison Newman
Preacher Mark Newman
Air Commodore John Bell reciting
Winston Churchill's words 
Mark Newman, Preacher and Crucifer leading the procession out.
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Procession of
Ministers and Flag Bearers led by Mark Newman 
Mayor David Jefferys
Margaret Wilmot reading
'Echos of 1940' 
Vicky Mace sounding
The Last Post 
The Mayoral Party departing,
led by PeterDunn |
Presentation of the flags to
Reverend Alison Newman 
Cadet Sergeant Amelia Nevard
of 2427 Sqn Biggin Hill ATC 
The Royal Salute to King Charles lll
The Flag of St George and England paraded by Sandra Carpenter leading out the flag bearers.
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Mayoral Party, Ministers, ATC Drum party, Veterans and VIPs.
Mayor and Mayoress greeting people as they leave
Kim Botting, Chairman of the Royal British Legion Orpington greeting Ann Galley and Peter Lemon
ATC Drum Party and Mayoress Ann-Marie Jefferys
Pat Cassins 
L - Mayoress Ann-Marie, Peter Dunn Mayoral Assistant and Mayor David Jefferys. R -, Mark Newman, Simon Stanford-Tuck.
If you would like to read the Order of Service
click on the link below 
Photos curtesy of P Bisset, D Evans , P Garlick, C Nevard, J Oliver .
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Flt Lt Wesley Pollard VR(T), Flag Bearers and Veterans
At the front -Harry Winters, Ann Galley, PeterLemon. 
Barbara Newman and friends
Katie Edwards assisting Veteran Ann Galley
Mayor and Mayoress with Mark Newman
Veterans Wg Cdr John Lambert and Sqn Ldr John Hext
Simon Stanford-Tuck, John Bell, Mayor David Jefferys
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