First snow of winter greets large crowd in Newcastle

First snow of winter greets large crowd in Newcastle

15 November 2017

WITH Slieve Donard sporting a first covering snow Newcastle paid tribute to its war dead in the annual remembrance service.

The usual large crowd turned out for the service at the War Memorial in Main Street including the customary large turn out from various community and youth organisations in the resort.

Royal British Legion member, Deon McNeilly, was the parade commander and he thanked all the organisations and individuals for their continued support.

In addition to ex-service personnel and RBL veterans at the cross-community ceremony, others in attendance included members of the emergency services, schoolchildren, members of the Loyal Orders and various youth groups, while the town’s Crimson Arrow Pipe Band performed. 

Those on parade were inspected by the Deputy Lieutenant for County Down, Brigadier (Retired) Ian Osborne OBE assisted by Mr McNeilly.

As the Last Post was sounded, the Union Flag was lowered as a symbol of respect for those killed in both world wars and more recent conflicts.

The parade commander recited The Exhortation and all in attendance stood in silent contemplation of the selfless sacrifices made by so many in times of conflict.

The playing of the Reveille signalled the end of the impeccably observed silence and Mr McNeilly recited the words of the Kohima Epitaph.

Representing Her Majesty the Queen, Deputy Lieutenant Osborne, assisted by local teenager Lucy Kenneally, laid the first wreath.

Wreaths were then laid by Squadron Leader Steven Bishop, representing RAF Flying Station Aldergrove, whilst Mr Kingsley Singer laid a wreath on behalf of the local Royal British Legion, and Peter Ffitch and Ryan Boyd placed a wreath at the memorial on behalf of the Royal British Legion Riders Branch. 

Other wreaths were laid on behalf of the following:

Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service – Watch Commander Mark Guinness, Firefighter Brian Murphy, Firefighter Gordon Annett.

Newcastle RNLI – Captain Patrick Pinkerton, William Wilson and Lisa Ramsden. 

Newcastle Coastguard – Libby Campbell, Gwenda Kenneally and Bill Nixon. 

Police Service of Northern Ireland – Constable Sandy Boyd and Constable Karen Thomas. 

Ulster Unionist Party – Cllr Jill Macauley and Desmond Patterson. 

RUC George Cross Newcastle and Kilkeel Welfare Group – Joe Thompson and Harry Cully.  

RUC George Cross Association Banbridge and South Down Branch – Wilbert Hassard. 

Apprentice Boys of Derry, Bryansford, Murray Club – Lee McBride. 

Newcastle Temperance LOL 357 – Trevor Orr. 

Newcastle Royal Black Preceptory 460 – Kenny Cromie. 

Star of Down Flute Band, Maghera – Sammy Donaldson. 

Royal County Down Golf Club – Michael Harkness. 

1st Newcastle Cub Scouts – Mark Crawford and John Brown. 

Newcastle Scouts – Arrabella Kincaid-Beattie, Oliver Corrigan and Ollie Torney.

Newcastle Girls’ Brigade – Amy Mitchell, Kayla Baker and Rachel Hamilton. 

1st Slieve Donard Boys’ Brigade – Joel Hamilton, Matthew Hamilton and Jack Martin. 

Shimna Integrated College – Catriona Sloan, Caroline Morrow and Natasha Manganaro. 

A private wreath was also placed at the memorial by Mr Gerald King, paying tribute to several of his family members.