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Leader Live
09-05-2025
- General
- Leader Live
Bagillt holds beacon lighting event to mark VE Day 80
The event took place at the Bettisfield beacon near Bagillt on Thursday evening (May 8) to commemorate 80 years since Victory in Europe was secured in the Second World War. It included live music, military vehicles, and peformances from a bag piper, as well as a cornet player from Holywell Town Band playing The Last Post. The Bettisfield dragon beacon was then lit as dusk fell to mark the anniversary. MORE NEWS: Among those in attendance was North Wales Police and Crime Commisioner, Andy Dunbobbin. He said: "A heartfelt thank you to the organisers, entertainment and all involved in making the VE Day event such a memorable occasion. "The brilliant musical performance, the impressive display of wartime vehicles, and the overall attention to detail created a powerful and respectful tribute to those who served. Your efforts brought history to life and united the community in remembrance and gratitude.' (Image: Beth Baker) Bagillt community councillor, Bryn Gittins, said on behalf of the Bagillt Action Group: "It was an amazing night bringing the community together to mark this special occasion. "It was a very memorable evening enjoyed by all. It is great to be in partnership with Flintshire Ranger Team who manage this amazing site on our doorstep, we are very lucky to have it. "Thank you Peter Carlyle for your ongoing support at our beacon lighting events." The dragon was designed and made by local artist Peter Carlyle from sheets of steel plate, hand shaped and welded together. The plinth was built by local stone mason Paul Evans. The beacon was first lit on June 4, 2012 to celebrate the diamond jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II and is lit each year on St David's Day. It is one of a series of beacons along the Flintshire coast.
Otago Daily Times
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Bugle player honoured for long service
Oamaru Garrison Band member Andrew Hayes (centre) with family and friends at the Hakataramea War Memorial on Anzac Day. PHOTO: SUPPLIED An Oamaru man who has played the bugle at Oamaru Anzac commemorations for 60 years and at Hakataramea for 37 years, has been honoured this year. Andrew Hayes received a special presentation at the dawn service at Hakataramea, attended by family and friends. Mr Hayes said he was "surprised" his family were there to support his achievement — but it was not the first time. "They also came to support me on my 50th anniversary, too," he said. Two of his sons, his grandson and three out of four Hayes siblings were at Hakataramea to celebrate the occasion. He also acknowledged Neville Cowles for his 65 years of bugle playing at Anzac services. His brother Vernon Hayes said Andrew was "very pleased and blown away" with the tribute. "I'm very proud of him. The presentation was rightfully deserved." Mr Hayes' first memory of Anzac Day was attending a parade in Hampden at the age of 9 with his father and grandfather. "My father served in the Pacific and Italy in World War 2, and my grandfather served in World War 2 in Sinai and Egypt." It remained important to turn out on Anzac Day to honour their service overseas, and he was happy to see commemoration attendance numbers increase in recent years. Mr Hayes has been in the Oamaru Garrison band since 1963. A euphonium player, he also practises the bugle for up to two months to play The Last Post and Reveille for Anzac Day. His son Colin also plays in the band.
Irish Independent
30-04-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
See pictures from Easter commemorations in New Ross
There was a large crowd in attendance for the mass in St Mary and Michael's Church, and the parade thereafter which assembled in the Irishtown, and both the mass and parade were in memory of the men and women of the old IRA, to honour their sacrifices. When the parade arrived at St Stephen's Cemetery, MC Larry Shannon introduced the event and Monsignor Joe McGrath recited a decade of the rosary, followed by a reading of the 1916 Proclamation by Pipe Major, Paschal Bolger. Former FCA Officer, Jim Sutton, performed the laying of the wreath, at which point, the FCA Pipe Band played the lament, Wrap the Green Flag Around Me, which was introduced for the centenary anniversary. A minute's silence then took place. Two members of the Confraternity band, Jane Connolly and George Delany played The Last Post and Reveille on bugles, accompanied by Derek Bolger, followed by a heart-rending performance of the national anthem by the FCA Pipe Band. On behalf of the organising committee, John Bennett said he's grateful to Derek Furness and District Manager, Alan Fitzhenry, 'they have the place immaculate.' He thanked New Ross Municipal District and politicians for attending, and Joanne Cooney for use of her PA system.
Irish Independent
27-04-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
See pictures from Easter Rising commemoration in Enniscorthy
108 years ago, the tricolour was raised on the Athenaeum as local units of the Irish Volunteers took over the town – a position they would hold until they received confirmation in person from Pádraig Pearse himself at Arbour Hill Prison that they were to lay down their arms and surrender. Enniscorthy was the last area to surrender in the country after the Easter Rising of 1916. Following a mass held in St Aidan's Cathedral, a colour party from the reserve defence forces led the way to Market Squares to listen to some speeches and play the national anthem. The party was joined by St Coleman's Pipe Band and the Enniscorthy Re-Enactment Society. Pat Nolan also gave an animated rendition of 'The Last Post' and Judy Heffernan read the Proclamation out loud across the crowd. To pay their respects, both Cathaoirelach of Enniscorthy Aidan Browne and Minister James Browne left wreaths on the Seamus Rafter Monument in the square.
NZ Herald
25-04-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
Emotions high as Tauranga, Mount RSAs mark Anzac Day with dawn services
A mixture of veterans, service members, cadets and civilians lined the streets, with the crowd stretching on to the bank of Hopukiore Reserve. Former Warrant Officer Darryn Douglas, now riding with the Patriots motorcycle group of past and present service members, said the day was a chance to reflect on those who died for our country. Sentinel guard commander Dusty Roper, of the Western Bay Cadet Unit, was attending his fifth Anzac Day service and had looked forward to leading his group on to the cenotaph grounds. 'We have been practising, practising the drill movers, and practising the sequence and getting everything down.' At the Tauranga RSA, emotions ran high on a bittersweet day as the branch prepared to merge with the Mount RSA in February. 'It is a sad day,' Tauranga city councillor Marten Rozeboom said. Former president and Royal New Zealand Army Captain Fred Milligan enlisted in 1955 and fondly remembered his time there. He recalled an officer leaving a driver in his charge who had become 'irritating', when he was a lance corporal. 'He asked, 'What can I do'? So I told him, 'go away and paint The Last Post',' Milligan said. The man in his charge disappeared for some time before eventually reappearing. Milligan said it turned out the man had painted all the posts near a live training area. When he joined the army, it was a class of 30 people. 'Now, there are seven of us left.' Milligan has witnessed Anzac Days in Australia and New Zealand and placed a wreath at a service in Southport, Queensland. 'I couldn't believe it. The crowd they got there in Southport was just unbelievable.' The 'evocative' Pāpāmoa dawn service was initially set up to relieve pressure on the dawn service at Hopukiore and has grown larger yearly. It marked the third anniversary at Pāpāmoa, organiser Buddy Mikaere said. The dawn service included students from Pāpāmoa College and involved the local Turkish community. Anzac Day is special for Mikaere because his family has been involved in nearly every major conflict for more than 100 years. It featured a significant Māori component with the benediction in te reo, accompanying two waitai. After the dawn service, Mikaere said the Pāpāmoa fire brigade hosted breakfast. The Last Post and the placing of the wreaths were among the highlights of this year's dawn service, hosted by the Western Bay of Plenty Regional Council, District Mayor James Denyer said. 'It is important to remember the service and huge sacrifices made on our behalf.' Anzac Day also allows the mayor to see representatives from all sections of his community come forward to place their wreaths. 'It also gives us a chance to reflect on the suffering that wars create and learn the lessons of the past.' Denyer attended the dawn service in Katikati and the civic service in Te Puke. This Anzac Day marked Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale's first in office, but the occasion has long been a chance for him to reflect and share memories with his family who served. 'It's a chance to remember and honour those who have served and continue to serve our country in theatres of global conflict.' Drysdale welcomed the crowd to the civic memorial service at the cenotaph in Memorial Park. 'On this day, we remember the event of 25 April 1915. The troops landed and cost the lives of many young soldiers and deeply impacted the families and communities they left behind.' Tauranga made a significant contribution in both world wars, general manager of community services Barbara Dempsey said. More than 500 men from Tauranga volunteered during World War I when the city had a population of fewer than 3000 at that time, she explained. Guest speaker Sub-Lieutenant Alex Eichelbaum, Royal New Zealand Navy, wished 100-year-old John Clark a happy birthday at the civic service. 'John enlisted in the Royal Navy just before his 17th birthday in 1942, becoming a telegraphist on the heavy cruiser HMS Suffolk until 1945.' 'He discharged as leading signalman in April 1946.' Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell said it was a 'very moving day' and a chance to reflect on those who made modern New Zealand possible. At the Waihī Beach RSA, club manager Mel Gearon said a crowd of over 1000 people turned up to the dawn service. Gearon said it was important to remember and honour the Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. 'The sacrifices they made should not be forgotten.'
