THE Mayor of Brecon has presented a ‘Friendship Scroll’ to representatives of the Royal Air Force on behalf of the town as part of the air force’s 100th anniversary celebrations.
The scroll, which was bestowed during a service on Saturday, was presented by Cllr Ieuan Williams to the Air Officer for Wales, Air Commodore Adrian Williams.
The short service, which was held in Plough Chapel in Brecon, was attended by civic dignitaries, the Lord Lieutenant of Powys Dame Shan Legge-Bourke.
The service was also attended by the membership director of the RAF Association Del Rowlands, members of the Brecon branch of the RAF Association, the Royal British Legion, the Parachute Regimental Association and RAF Air Cadets from Merthyr Tydfil and Abergavenny Squadrons.
The Last Post and Reveille were played at the service and a minute’s silence was observed.
A celebratory reception was held at the Castle Hotel in Brecon following the service which included a toast using ‘Experimental Ale’, which was specially produced for the RAF by the local company Brecon Brewing.
During the reception, which included a lunchtime buffet, Air Commodore Adrian Williams presented the cadets with ‘RAF 100’ badges marking the centenary.
On Sunday, April 1, the Queen sent a message to Royal Air Force branches across the UK.
She said: “The anniversary of the world’s first independent Air Force is of great significance, and it is fitting to pay tribute to the tenacity, skill and sacrifice of the men and women who have served within its ranks over the last century, and who have defended our freedom gallantly.”
The Queen fittingly ended her message with a reference to the RAF’s Latin motto ‘Per Ardua ad Astra’ which translates to “through adversity to the stars.”