Remembrancetide

Each November there is a special Remembrance Sunday service commemorating the bravery and sacrifice of the many service men and women who lost their lives in world conflicts.

In addition to this we also held our very first ‘In Remembrance’ concert last year in support of British troops. Performed by the Salvation Army in conjunction with our Cathedral Choir, all proceeds from this event were split between Combat Stress, the Salvation Army and the Poppy Fund in recognition of their efforts to improve troop support.

Support for British troops is a topic very close to the Dean of Peterborough’s heart as his own nephew has served in Iraq. In 2007, the Dean caused quite a stir in one of his sermons when he rallied public support and called for the government to start taking better care of our service personnel when returning injured from combat.

In June 2009, he also announced the launch of a brand new Cathedral drop in centre for war veterans and their families in conjunction with John Lewis and Combat Stress. With the intention of providing a free facility for advice and support for ex-service personnel, veterans are invited to meet in our Cathedral Coffee Shop on the first Tuesday of each month from 10-12pm to share experiences, offer mutual support and just receive some comfort in a quiet and friendly space. At the launch on June 2nd 2009, numerous veterans as well as key representatives from RAF Wittering, the Mayor and Combat Stress turned out to mark the official opening of such a wonderful and much needed resource.

Read a full report and watch the launch video or contact Catharine Saunders on 01733 344143.