Hay-on-Wye was buzzing last weekend as the town hosted an event to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
The event, which took place over the whole weekend - from Friday, August 20 until Sunday, August 22 - was supposed to take place last year but had to be postponed due to Coronavirus.
However, the postponed memorial weekend was also an opportunity for the town to mark 100 years since the founding of the Royal British Legion Charity.
One of the weekend’s organisers, Kelvyn Jenkins said: “The timing worked well though, as 2021 is the Centenary of the founding of the Royal British Legion charity, which has worked so hard to support servicemen and women, veterans and their families over the last ten decades.
“South East Wales and Herefordshire Regions of the RBL came together for this event and were joined by Association Standards from as far away as Berkshire.”
While some participants of the three-day-event were forced to pull-out due to Covid-19, the weekend was a great success as it was packed with exhibits, organised events, and official commemorations of the service men and women
Surrey Police Band kicked off the events on Friday with a concert at Cartref Care Home - held in the grounds and open to anyone to attend.
The concert included fundraising for the military charity Change Step which offers support for veterans, their families and carers in Wales - enabling them to access vital support services for serious stress and other related issues.
There was a talk from the Burney Brothers on the Friday as well as Hay’s War Heroes by authors Hugh Purcell and Margaret Percy, and period entertainment provided by 1940s singer Jayne Darling at the Black Lion Inn.
Despite the wet weather on Saturday, a short service of Remembrance was held at the Commonwealth War Graves in the cemetery.
Mr Jenkins said that the serves at the graves, which are predominantly of German and Italian prisoners of war, were “very well attended”.
He said: “A poignant touch was provided by a volley of rifle shots from a group of German solider re-enactors.
“This was followed by a short remembrance by the Women’s Land Army re-enactors at the grave of a former Land Army ‘Girl’, Pat Jenkins.”
Later on Saturday, the Women’s Land Army made a presentation of a Land Army badge, a World War II certificate and a bouquet of flowers to Irene Gwynne - a member of the Women’s Land Army in the 1940s.
A concert at St Mary’s Parish Church included the beautiful solo voice of Lauren Elizabeth Williams, a vocal student at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, accompanied by the Surrey Police Band with musical director Graham Atterbury.
More than £2,000 was raised in aid of Fisher House, which Mr Jenkins said was spoken about movingly by Afghanistan veteran Dave Watson”, and offers a home away from home for injured military personnel, many of whom served in Iraq and Afghanistan and continue to return to the hospital for more surgery, as well as personnel who are receiving treatment for illness – from cancer care to transplants.
Mr Jenkins said: “Thank goodness for marquees, which saved the day later when the skies opened above the Kilvert Hotel which hosted a Tea Dance – music was provided by the Little Ashby Big Band and Jayne Darling, and period dancing and lessons provided by the Steve and Sue Mace and the Cindy Dolloway Dancers of Hereford.
“While all of this was taking place, the CaeMawr field played host to re-enactors from around the UK – Women’s Land Army, German Army units, British Medical units, Military Vehicle Trust groups, all providing a glimpse into life during wartime.
“An exhibition Spitfire, a tank present on D-Day, Anderson shelters, agricultural vehicles – all spectacles enjoyed by residents and visitors alike to Hay over the weekend.”
Following a parade, led by RBL bikers’ groups, military vehicles, Swansea City Pipe Band and Shirley Pipe Band, a fly-past from a Dakota aeroplane, a speech from a Winston Churchill impersonator, teas, coffee and cakes at René’s Café - run by the team of Hay RBL Branch members Tracey, Sue, Chrissy and Richard - the culmination of the weekend on Sunday was a Service of Remembrance.
Joining the Police Band and Lauren Williams to provide the music was Cor Meibion Talgarth.
Wreaths were laid by Deputy Lieutenant of Powys, Mike Lewis and of Herefordshire, Gen Arthur Denaro and Col Andy Taylor; Brecknockshire and Radnorshire MP Fay Jones, James Evans MS, Jane Dodds MS, High Sheriff of Powys Peter James, MBE; the Presidents of South East Wales and Herefordshire Royal British Legions, the Hon. Dame Shân Legge Bourke DCVO and Major Alan Harry respectively.
County, town and parish councillors, family members of the Fallen and members of the public were then invited to make their personal tribute in the form of a wreath or red rose and donations were collected to benefit the RBL Poppy Appeal.
County Councillor William Powell, who attended the commemoration on Sunday, said it felt like a “very special occasion”.
The Liberal Democrat said: “The whole event was a phenomenal success and I pay tribute to Kelvyn Jenkins and everyone associated with the Royal British Legion in Hay on Wye, who worked so hard to make it possible, drawing on veterans, supporters and dignitaries from near and far.
“I was especially delighted to see Cor Meibion Talgarth in such good voice on Sunday afternoon and to see Talgarth’s much loved centenarian and RAF veteran John Hugo Gwynne taking his place in the assembled crowd. It was a very special occasion.”