Kimbolton RBL Standard Dedication, Sunday 8th October 2017

8 October 201710 October 2017 Karl Webb Bill Small, Graham Murray, Jayne Miller, Karl Webb, Mike Milne

On Sunday 8th October 2017, Kimbolton Branch, Royal British Legion, held a service of Dedication of their new Branch Standard and the laying up of the old Branch Standard. The service took place at St Andrew’s Church, Kimbolton.

Huntingdon & District Branch, Royal Naval Association were invited to the service. S/Ms Karl Webb, Bill Small, and Graham Murray represented the Branch, with Bill Small parading the Branch Standard. St Neots Branch were also represented by S/Ms Mike Milne and Jayne Miller.

S/M Graham Murray, Vice Chairman, Huntingdon RNA

On arrival at St Andrew’s Church, shipmates Karl Webb and Graham Murray took to their seats while shipmate Bill Small attended a brief for the Standard Bearers.

S/M Karl Webb, President, Huntingdon RNA

The Service began with National Anthem followed by the laying up of Kimbolton RBL’s old Branch Standard.

Kimbolton RBL President, Commits the old Standard for safe keeping in St Andrew’s Church

Followed by the unfurling and Blessing of the new Standard by the Reverend Ron Lancaster.

The New Standard is brought before the Altar

With both Standards placed on the Altar,

Old and new Standards in place on the church Altar

After hymns and prayers, the Minister for Defence, Colonel Mark Lancaster MP T.D. gave the Address to the congregation and explained that as a local, and the son of Reverend Lancaster, he knew the church and Kimbolton very well, and of his support of the Royal British Legion and Armed Forces personnel

Col. Mark Lancaster MP, T.D. Minister for Defence gives the Address

Mark Lancaster MP, is also the son of Reverend Ron Lancaster, St Andrew’s Church

The service continued with another hymn before the Last Post. Sqn Ldr Laura Hadden gave the Exhortation.

After Reveille, Sqn Ldr Hadden said the Kohima Epitaph. The final hymn was sung before Reverend Ron Lancaster led the Standards out of the church.

Reverend Ron Lancaster leads the Standards out of the church

Standard Bearers line the entrance to the Church as a final mark of respect to those attending the service.

Standard Bearers line the exit from St Andrew’s Church

A final group photograph of the Standard Bearers and their escorts.

Standards and Escorts outside of St Andrew’s Church

To end the day’s proceedings, Kimbolton BL invited all attendees to light refreshments, and a chance to chat, at the Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton. A successful day with a good attendance from the RBL and military associations, including the RNA.