Today the Borough of Havant marked Armed Forces Flag Raising Day and the final part of the Waterloo 200 Commemorations.
We were so very proud to have soldiers from both 16 and 47 Regiment Royal Artillery marching onto our Public Service Plaza behind the wonderful band of the Queen’s Division.
On our final visit to Waterloo 200 in Waterlooville today, we attended a service at The Sacred Heart Church. The Salvation Army Band played brilliantly with wonderful stirring hymns. I will never forget us singing “God is our Strength” to the music of The Dambusters! Marvellous. I can see that appearing in a future service this year.
A brilliant day organised this year by the Community First Responders. With displays from the Fire Brigade and other members of the Emergency Services, a really good free day out for the family.We met the RN Bomb Disposal guys from Port Solent and chatted to our own Hayling Police.
Today was the end of his year as president for Lefteris and start of the year for Jenny. We are sure our close relationship with The Lions will continue throughout the new year.
In the company of Deputy Leiutenant Colonel Charles Ackroyd TD RD DL, we were in Waterlooville again today. The Colonel unveiled a plaque whilst I announced the winners of the Waterloovlle flag competition.
Southlands Nursing Home
This afternoon Andy and I visited Southlands Nursing Home in Havant. We met some of the residents busy decorating cakes and had a good chat with many of the staff. The atmosphere was lovely and caring, a nice place to live.
Today I had the honour of unveiling the Commemorative Waterloo 200 Plaque in The Precinct at Waterlooville. Our town named after the returning Heros from the Battle 200 years ago today.
Surrounded by residents in brilliant sunshine, it was a very special occasion.
On a lovely sunny morning we returned to the beautiful Staunton Country Park. The event was the Beacon Community Partnership Open Day. We had the pleasure of meeting Debbie again from The Right to Work and Kerry the Manager of Staunton Park.
We are so lucky to have met many happy young people working in the grounds, and left with broad beans and potatoes freshly dug for our dinner.
Today Andy and I were invited to visit Crossway House Care Home in Havant. This is where the old Havant War Memorial Hospital was some years ago. This turned out to be of our favourite visits so far. What lovely staff and residents, much laughter and wonderful care for all those living there. Some adults had learning disabilities, some had dementia and others were elderly with increasing needs. But, they all lived together like one happy family.
I do hope they invite us back, we will be very pleased to visit them again.
In the afternoon I had the honour of unveiling a new Memorial in Cowplain. The history society was formed to write a book on Cowplain and then it used the monies raised to fund the Memorial. In the grounds of The Borrow Centre, the Memorial was designed by students of Hordean Technology College.
It is in Remembrance of all those from the parish whose lives were lost in conflict.
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In the morning we held our Civic Service in the beautiful St Mary’s Church on Hayling Island. Rev. Pennie Payne and I had planned the service to be happy, uplifting and patriotic. It was certainly all these things. I am so grateful to Rev. Pennie, the wonderful organist Jonathan Bunney and all at St Mary’s.
I am told there were 129 people in the congregation, fellow Councillors, Civic Dignitaries and residents of the Borough of Havant.
What a wonderful evening we had at the Waterlooville Music Festival last night. It was the first night and appearing were The Royal Marines Association Concert Band. They were absolutely brilliant, we clapped our hands and tapped our feet to the music.
In the afternoon we went to the Langstone Technology Park. We were there to help welcome back an amazing team of 12 cyclists, from Serocor Solutions. They had cycled over 300 miles in three days, raising £13,000 for Naomi House and Jack’s Place.
In the morning I had the pleasure of unveiling an information board on Hayling seafront. This was relating to Hayling Island’s part in WW1, the board had been researched by and erected by members of U3A.
In the evening we had the pleasure of being invited to the annual cocktail party of the 12th Regiment Royal Artillery on Thorney Island. There were various pieces of Artillery on display of which Andy and I were given a tour.
The Mayor of Havant's blog 