CHURCH HILL paid tribute to those who served in all wars with a touching service at the Bomford Hill Peace Memorial on Saturday morning.
The annual service, organised by Church Hill Big Local, is held on the Saturday closest to October 6, the date the last known soldier from the Parish of Beoley died while serving in World War One.
Others from the Parish also died in October while serving during the conflict.
After a brief introduction from Church Hill Big Local co-chair Hayley Price, Rev Gail Rogers led the service in an opening prayer.
Matthew 5:1-12 was read by Robin Simmons followed by the laying of wreaths at the peace memorial.
The exhortation was read by Coun Sid Khan, a Retired British Army Warrant Officer.
The Last Post was played, after which two minutes of silence were observed.
This was followed by the Reveille before Coun Khan read the Kohima Epitaph.
Those in attendance sang the hymn ‘Abide With Me’ before Redditch Mayor Coun Ann Isherwood read W H Auden’s poem ‘Stop all the clocks’.
Ian Dipple read out the Redditch Pledge for Peace, and the service ended with the act of commitment, a reading of the Lord’s Prayer, the national anthem and a blessing by Rev Rogers.
Church Hill Big Local co-chair Hayley Price said: “We’re so grateful to everyone that attends and gives up their time, it’s fantastic the community turned out to support what was such a poignant and special morning.
“Church Hill has always recognised how hugely important it is we remember those who served and I think that was certainly reflected in the service.”
Coun Sid Khan added: “It’s really important we have services that remember those who have fallen in all wars regardless of colour creed nationality and any other factors.
“I think Church Hill Big Local does a fabulous job keeping this service going through hard times, it brings communities together and represents our values and our standards really well.”
Redditch Mayor Coun Ann Isherwood said: “It was a very personal tribute, this occasion is very close to my heart and the entire service was poignant and beautiful.
“This is another example of how incredible Church Hill Big Local is because through services such as this they give us the chance to remember and pay our tributes to those that served.”
