Wokingham remembers: Shinfield

HUNDREDS of people gathered round Shinfield’s war memorial on Sunday for a service of remembrance led jointly by the village’s Baptist and Anglican churches.

A parade, from Shinfield Health Centre to School Green, was headed up by Wokingham borough mayor cllr Parry Batth, Cllr Charlotte Haitham Taylor and Shinfield Parish Council leader Peter Hughes.

Also taking part were the Air Cadets, Scout and Guide troops and pupils from Shinfield St Mary’s.

The Revd Paul Willis from St Mary’s Church introduced the service and the first hymn, O Valiant Hearts. After prayers, Major Owen Williams, the second in command of the Royal County of Berkshire Cadet Force and president of the Shinfield Royal British Legion, read out a list of people from Shinfield who had died in the First and Second World Wars and also in Afghanistan.

Keith Vellacott, chairman of the Shinfield Royal British Legion, then led the two minute silence, reading the Kohima epitaph and introducing the laying of wreaths at the village’s war memorial.

Mr Willis then gave a short address before the second hymn, O God Our Help In Ages Past.

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The Revd Nathan Hunt, pastor of Shinfield Baptist Church, then led prayers before the service ended with the singing of the national anthem.

After the service, refreshments were served in the parish hall and pupils from Shinfield St Mary’s School Choir sang a selection of Second World War songs.

Speaking to The Wokingham Paper, Mr Vellacott said he had been happy with the large turn-out.

He said: “I’m really pleased to see so many. It really makes a difference. People come because they want to remember. No one forces them to come.

“With the 100th anniversary of the First World War and the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, it brings it home to people: we should remember.”

Wokingham mayor, Cllr Parry Batth, was also pleased to take part in the Shinfield service ahead of the civic parade for Wokingham town in the afternoon.

After the service, Mr Batth told The Wokingham Paper: “It’s great to remember those who who died for our freedom and I’m here to remember them on behalf on Wokingham Borough Council as the mayor. I’m the councilllor for Shinfield North Ward, so I’m part of Shinfield and I’m very pleased and honoured to be invited here for the ceremony.”