Organisers of the royal visit by Princess Anne to Southport were thanked for their efforts with a stylish reception at The Grand in Southport.
Princess Anne performed the rededication of Southport War Memorial in front of cheering crowds to commemorate its centenary.
The special event was organised by the Southport branch of the Royal British Legion, with support from other organisations including Sefton Council, plus a small army of volunteers.
Organisers, volunteers and veterans were invited to celebrate the momentous occasion and were thanked for their tireless work in organising the event.
Organisers of the royal visit by Princess Anne to Southport were thanked for their efforts with a stylish reception at The Grand in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
After the huge success of the Princess Anne visit, one of their next ambitions is to make a case for the national Armed Forces Day event to be held in Southport.
Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group Chairman Andrew Mikhail said:
“We wanted to do something nice in recognition of all the great work that was carried out by the Southport branch of the Royal British Legion and the Armed Forces Community Hub, and all the other volunteers, to make this historic event happen.
“For them to be able to encourage Princess Anne to visit Southport to mark the re-dedication of Southport War Memorial was amazing.
Organisers of the royal visit by Princess Anne to Southport were thanked for their efforts with a stylish reception at The Grand in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
“It was a memorable occasion for the town and it enjoyed a fantastic turnout.
“The whole event really showed off Southport at its very best.
“As a town we need to think big, we need to make events and occasions like this happen.
“I love their ambition of trying to attract the national Armed Forces Day to take place in Southport, there is no better place than here for that celebration to be held.”
Organisers of the royal visit by Princess Anne to Southport were thanked for their efforts with a stylish reception at The Grand in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
Event organiser, Major Nick McEntee TD VR REME and Chairman of the Royal British Legion, Southport, said:
“We’d like to say a huge thank you to The Grand for supporting the Royal Visit and the Royal British Legion.
“The reception was a lovely way of saying thank you to everyone for their hard work.
“The Grand was the perfect venue for this, somewhere really special, for a really wonderful end to a very special day. Thank you!”
Organisers of the royal visit by Princess Anne to Southport were thanked for their efforts with a stylish reception at The Grand in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
The rededication of Southport War Memorial saw hundreds of veterans took part in a parade which was led by the Band of the Royal Air Force College and be made up of Armed Forces personnel and Veterans from all three services, as well as Cadets from The Sea Cadets, Army Cadet Force, The Royal Air Force Cadets and Merchant Taylor’s Combined Cadet Force.
The parade also included contingents from 27 schools in the Southport area as it made its way from Victoria Park, along Lord Street and to the Monument.
Children at local schools also took part in a competition to create pictures or stories with a remembrance theme.
Organisers of the royal visit by Princess Anne to Southport were thanked for their efforts with a stylish reception at The Grand in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
The Southport War Memorial rededication was then directed by Colonel (Retd) Monsignor Stephen Alker MBE and was attended by senior civil dignitaries and senior military figures.
World War Two veterans who were present as guests of honour included 102-year-old D-Day veteran Harry Howorth; 100-year-old D-Day veteran Eric Suchland; and Ben Benbow, who served in the Royal Navy aboard HMS Crane.
Organisers of the royal visit by Princess Anne to Southport were thanked for their efforts with a stylish reception at The Grand in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
Southport War Memorial was opened in 1923 by the Earl of Derby and 320 children whose parents had been tragically killed on the battlefields in World War One.
During the Great War, between 1914 and 1918, it is estimated that nearly 10,000 men and women from Southport served with His Majesty’s Forces overseas or at home, out of a population of 72,500.
Organisers of the royal visit by Princess Anne to Southport were thanked for their efforts with a stylish reception at The Grand in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
The Roll of Honour in the four Cenotaphs of the Memorial included no fewer than 1,133 names when it was officially unveiled.
Hundreds more were added during the Second World War and from conflicts around the world since then, including in Iraq and Afghanistan during this century.
Organisers of the royal visit by Princess Anne to Southport were thanked for their efforts with a stylish reception at The Grand in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
Her Royal Highness attended the event in her capacity as President of the Women’s Section of the Royal British Legion.
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