This year we were delighted to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Czechoslovak Troops arriving at Cholmondeley Castle after the Fall of France in June 1940.
We welcomed our MAFCSV friends, old and new and most importantly we were joined by our young school students and staff from the Czech and Slovak Schools and their communities from South Manchester and also the Okenko School London. I think everyone agreed they were the stars of the event, when they sang the Czech and Slovak national anthems, but equally I want to shout out to the cadets and their officers from ACF (Nantwich) Detachment, 100 (Nantwich) Squadron RAFAC, and 310 (Widnes) Squadron RAFAC. They were so smart and paraded brilliantly under the eagle eyes of Parade Marshall Mr Timmins. I know our veterans would have been so proud of the way the standards were dipped during the Last Post and were brought back up during the Reveille, played beautifully by Mr. Ted Fowles and Olivia Barnes. Thank you to the Cheshire Pipes and Drums who set our event off so wonderfully and for the other standard bearers Mr. Alan Smith, Mr. Andy Lawrence, and Mr. Jim Atherton.
We were so pleased to welcome our official party which this year consisted of, High Sheriff of Cheshire, Mrs. Joelle Warren, M.B.E, D.L., Czech Consul General, Manchester, Mr. David Frous, Th Slovak Defence Attache Colonel Peter Sliacky, the Czech Defence Attaché, Brigadier General Miroslav Heger, Army Representative, Colonel Jeremy Dodd, V.R., RAF Representative, Air Commodore Sansom, R.A.F., Mayor, Cheshire East, Councillor David Edwardes, Lord Mayor, S-on-T City Council, Councillor Steve Watkins, Chairman, C&C Parish Council, Mr. Christopher Hopley, Chairman, RBL Cheshire County, Mr. Michael Bradshaw, RBL Bunbury Representative, Mrs. Lesley Davies, C.B.E., Chairman, RBL Nantwich, Mr. Joe O’Leary, and RAFA Representative, Mr. Michael Revell.
The Marquess of Cholmondeley was represented by the Estate Manger My James Hall, and we were delighted to have Mrs Sheila Novak to represent all our Czechoslovak Veterans and Lady Milena Grenfell-Baines representing all the Kindertransport children, particularly those on the Winton trains.
The commemorative service was led by Group Captain the Reverend Rogers, O.B.E., R.A.F. (Retired).
Special thanks go to Helen Partington, and Tracey and her team at the Cholmondeley Garden Café who provided the most delicious afternoon tea together with Czechoslovak style sandwiches and biscuits.
And to the estate team who every year take care of our memorial and have it in perfect condition ready for our event. We really do appreciate all your support to deliver this event.
Our final shout out has to go to the incredible Lt. Colonel Southward (retired). It is through his hard work and dedication that over the past 5 years it has become the event it is. His tireless work to ensure everything goes perfectly is known to all who work alongside him, and no detail goes unnoticed. He has certainly earned the right to stand down from his Cholmondeley duties and pass on the baton to others to carry forward. Finally, he might get to do a bit of fishing in peace and quiet.
Thank you to everyone who came. It is your attendance that ensures our courageous veterans are never forgotten.
