ISSUE ONE-FEB 2016
FEDERATION OF PLYMOUTH AND DISTRICT
EX-SERVICES ASSOCIATIONS
CEREMONIES, ANNIVERSARIES AND EVENTS 2016
This list of Anniversaries, Ceremonies and Events for 2016, of interested to the Ex-Services Community, is compiled from best available information by Commander Charles Crichton OBE Royal Navy, Patron of the Federation.
Event organisers are invited to send input and update information to Charles by email: . A second issue will be distributed later in the year.
Federation Standards. Requests for parade of standards will be annotated against events along with the “ assemble” time.
Confirmed events are shown in BOLD. Events awaiting information for 2016 are shown in normaltype.Completed events are shown in ITALICS
FEBRUARY
Mon 22 0730 Plymouth East Girlguiding World Thinking Day Celebration. Plymouth Hoe.
Sat 27HMS EXETER Association members and guests attend Civic Reception (1000-1050) by the Lord Mayor of Exeter. Veterans will parade (1100-1120)) and there will then be a Remembrance and Standard Dedication Service (1130-1230) at Exeter Cathedral.
Veterans and families from the Macassar Association and the Battle of the River Plate Association will be joining in both the parade and the Dedication Service.
The parade will be led by the Band of HM Royal Marines Lympstone.
For information contact the Association Secretary on
MARCH
Mon 141000. Commonwealth Day Flag Raising at the Guildhall Flag Pole
Sat 19-Ford Park Cemetery. An exhibition to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the
Sun 10 JulyPlymouth Blitz. Admission free-donations welcome.
Mon 211400. Ford Park Cemetery. The 75th Anniversary of the Plymouth Blitz.
A Service of Remembrance at the Victoria Chapel.
For the full list of other events at Ford Park see
Sun 271400. Ford Park Cemetery. The Plymouth Blitz. A walk with the Heritage Team.
APRIL
Sun 3Devonport Naval Heritage Centre Open Day.
Theme – History of the Devonport Naval Heritage Centre.
See Note 1 below and note 2 with details of a series of illustrated Talks.
Thur 21Her Majesty the Queen’s 90th Birthday
Sat 301900. Dartington Hall, Totnes, Royal British Legion Spring Concert.
Tickets at £15 from the Royal British Legion Community Fun Raiser
01297 624 355. 07769 671590
Sun 24 1315. Annual Memorial Service at the Tank Memorial Site at Torcross, Devon, for those who lost their lives during Exercise Tiger at Slapton Sands on 28 April 1944.
Conducted by the Royal Tank Regiment Association, Plymouth Branch.
For further details contact Mr Dave Taylor
See
STANDARD REQUESTED: ASSEMBLE 1245
Sun 241500 (tbc) 75th Anniversary of the Plymouth Blitz and the Plymouth District Scouts
St George’s Day Service, Minster Church of St Andrew, Plymouth.
MAY
Sat 7 toPLYMOUTH HISTORY FESTIVAL MONTH
the 5 June See
Includes a substantial programme of events at the Devonport Naval Heritage Centre
Sat 71930 St Mary’s Church Plympton. A concert by the Plymouth Military Wives Choir in aid of the Royal British Legion (Plympton Branch) Poppy Appeal. Tickets £10.
Sun 82000. Ford Park Cemetery. The Plymouth Blitz. An atmospheric evening walk.
Wed 111930. Ford Park Cemetery. The Bombing of Plymouth. An illustrated talk with Laurence Axworthy. Victoria Chapel. £2
Fri 20 1030. Lord Mayor of Plymouth Choosing Ceremony, Plymouth Guildhall
Fri 20 1930 for 2000. Lord Mayor of Plymouth Choosing Dinner HMS DRAKE.
Sun 22 1030. Lord Mayor of Plymouth Civic Church Service, Minster Church of St Andrew, Plymouth.
STANDARDS REQUESTED. ASSEMBLE AT 1000
tbaJoint Services Hosanna House Group Pilgrimage to Lourds incorporating International Military Pilgrimage.
Sat 28 1200. At the Belvedere Memorial Garden, Plymouth Hoe, the Plymouth and Southwest Malaya and Borneo Veterans Association will hold a Commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the ending of hostilities.
STANDARDS REQUESTED. ASSEMBLE AT 1130
Sat 281200. Lord Mayor of Plymouth’s Festival - Plymouth City Centre.
Mon 31 Devonport Naval Heritage Centre Open Day. Theme-The Battle of Jutland.
See note 1 below.
Tue 311100 Battle of Jutland Centenary Remembrance Parade, Naval War Memorial, Plymouth Hoe. Managed by the Royal Navy. (Lt Cdr M Burke RN 01752 286065)
STANDARDS REQUESTED. ASSEMBLE 1000 TO BE CONFIRMED
JUNE
Fri 31200. Memorial Service at the US Naval Memorial, Tamar Bridge, Car Park.
STANDARDS REQUESTED. ASSEMBLE 1130
Sat 4 SSAFA 130th Celebratory Summer Ball.
Plymouth is the oldest SSAFA branch being founded in 1885 (as SSFA) at the start of the Boer War and has been active in the City of Plymouth ever since.
For details contact SSAFA Plymouth Branch on 01752 553414
Sat 11Her Majesty the Queen’s Official Birthday
Thur 16 1400. Door of Unity Service, Minster Church of St Andrew, Plymouth.
RN, RM & MN STANDARDS REQUESTED. ASSEMBLE 1330.
Sun 19 tbcRoyal Navy Mass with the RC Bishop of the Armed Forces. Roman Catholic Cathedral, Plymouth.
Mon 221000. Plymouth Armed Forces Day Flag Raising Ceremony, Plymouth Guildhall
STANDARDS REQUESTED. ASSEMBLE 0930
Sat 25 PLYMOUTH ARMED WEEKEND-PLYMOUTH HOE
-Sun 26 Including:
Sat 25 The RAF and Allied Air Forces Monument Service.
Sat 25 The Rifles Freedom of the City Parade
Sat 25 1100. Standards and Veterans Parade
Sun 26. Devonport Fieldgun Association Junior Fieldgun Tournament .
Sun 26. Devonport Naval Heritage Centre Open Day (Details to be announced)
See for programme detail.
SAT 25 STANDARDS REQUESTED: ASSEMBLY TIME TO BE ANNOUNCED
Sat 25 Cornwall Armed Forces Day, Torpoint. For details see:
Mon 20 SEAFARERS AWARENESS WEEK will promote UK maritime job opportunities, at
-Sun 26 sea and ashore. It will also focus on increasing young people’s knowledge of the
UK’s historic and ongoing dependence as an island nation on seafarers.
See
JULY
Fri 1 to SOMME 141-Marking each day of the Battle of the Somme Centenary.
Fri 18 NovIn addition to special events on 1 July and 18 November to mark the 100th anniversary of the start and end of the Battle of the Somme, the Royal British Legion will host a daily service at the Thiepval memorial to commemorate each day of the battle.
For further details see
Fri 1-Devonport Field Gun Association Reunion Weekend.
Sat 2See
Sat 30-Ford Park Cemetery. People of Plymouth 1916.
Sun 11 SeptExhibition: Local perspective on the life of families in Plymouth during the third year of the Great War. Admission free-donations welcome.
Sun 10SEA SUNDAY. 1100 The congregation of the Minster Church of St Andrew, Plymouth, will welcome everyone to join together in a Service to give thanks for our Seafarers.
STANDARDS REQUESTED:ASSEMBLE 1030
Sea Sunday is the day set aside for us to come together to remember the brave and dedicated Merchant Seafarers who we rely on to sustain our global economy, all those who go down to the seas in ships, and the work of the Royal Navy.
For information on National Sea Sunday see
Sun 24 Devonport Naval Heritage Centre open Day. Theme-Cadets Day.
See note 1 below.
AUGUST
Mon 151130. VJ Day. Short Service of Remembrance at the Rowan Tree, the Minster Church of St Andrew Plymouth. Organised by the Plymouth Branch Far East Prisoner of War Association (FEPOW).
SEPTEMBER
Sat 3MERCHANT NAVY DAY
Local authorities requested to fly the Red Ensign on Merchant Navy Day, the day on which we remember the sacrifices, salute the courage and support the future of the often unsung personnel of our Merchant Navy.
Arrangements for the hoisting of the Red Ensign on the City Flagpole (Guildhall) at 1000 and a Commemoration of Merchant Navy Day (possibly at the Mayflower Steps) under discussion.
STANDARDS REQUESTED: ASSEMBLEY DETAILS TO BE ANNOUNCED.
Thur 8National Heritage Open Days. A four-day festival celebrating local history and giving
-Sun 11access to thousands of places usually closed to the public.
Sat 10-1400. Ford Park Cemetery. Heritage Open Day walks
Sun 11
Sun 18 1100. Battle of Britain Day Memorial Service, Minster Church of St Andrew, Plymouth.
STANDARDS REQUESTED: ASSEMBLE 1030
Wed 201930. Ford Park Cemetery. WWII Concert and Singalong. £7
OCTOBER
Sun 23Devonport Naval Heritage Centre Open Day. Theme - Bombs and Bullets.
See note 1 below.
Mon 241100. Captain Henry VC Commemoration at Ford Park Cemetery. Organised by the
Royal Artillery Association.
STANDARDS REQUESTED: ASSEMBLE 1030
Thur 27Royal British Legion Devon County launch Poppy Day at the Devonport Naval Heritage Centre.
tbaRoyal British Legion Plymouth launch Poppy Day.
NOVEMBER
Tue 21 SSAFA Winter Fair (details from SSAFA 01752 553414)
Mon 7 1800. Federation Remembrance Festival Rehearsals-
Plymouth Pavilions (Availability of the Pavilions to be confirmed)
STANDARDS REQUESTED: ASSEMBLE 1800
Wed 91930. Plympton Royal British Legion Annual Band (Soundhouse Brass) Concert, St Mary’s Church, Plympton. Tickets £6.
Fri 11 1900 for 1930. FEDERATION ANNUAL REMEMBRANCE FESTIVAL.
Plymouth Pavilions. Ticket information to be announced.
STANDARDS REQUESTED: ASSEMBLE 1900
tba 1100 Armistice Day Commemoration Burrow Hill Monument, Plymstock.
tba 1100 Armistice Day Commemoration Minster Church of St Andrew, Plymouth.
Sun 13 1100 Remembrance Day Parade-Plymouth Hoe
STANDARDS REQUESTED: ASSEMBLY TIME AND
PARKING ARRANGEMENTS TO BE NOTIFIED.
Sun 131500. Remembrance Ceremony at the Rowan Tree, Minster Church of St Andrew, Plymouth. Organised by the Plymouth Branch of the Far East Prisoner of War Association (FEPOW).
Sun 13 1030 for 1100 Royal British Legion Remembrance Day Parade Ivybridge.
Thur 24 Thanksgiving Day. Details to be announced.
For other Barbican Waterfront 2016 events see
DECEMBER
Sat 3Royal British Legion Carol Concert. Minster Church of St Andrew, Plymouth
Sun 4 or 1000 Devonport North Corner Commemoration Service.
Sun 11tbdOrganised by the Royal Marines Association
STANDARDS REQUESTED: ASSEMBLE 0930
Fri 16 1930. The Lord Mayor of Plymouth’s Carol Service-Minster Church of St Andrew,
STANDARDS REQUESTED: ASSEMBLE 1900
Sat 311100. Hinkley VC Commemoration at Ford Park Cemetery. Organised by the Royal
Naval Association.
STANDARDS REQUESTED: ASSEMBLE 1030
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NOTES.
1.DEVONPORT NAVAL HERITAGE CENTRE – OPEN DAYS
Entry off Granby Way, Devonport, Plymouth PL1 4HG
Visit the Naval Heritage Centre and discover how the Dockyard of the 1690s has grown into the largest Naval Base in Western Europe. Take a guided tour of the decommissioned nuclear powered submarine COURAGEOUS.
Free entry and nearby free parking off Granby Way.
For information call 01752 554200 or email
2.DEVONPORT NAVAL HERITAGE CENTRE – ILLUSTRATED TALKS
For all illustrated talks arrive at 1830 for tea and biscuits. Talks start at 1900 and complete by 2000 followed by refreshments. Ring Mr Bob Cook for booking on 01752 554200-small donation for refreshments on arrival.
Programme of talks:
Thu 10 Mar.Martin Read-Spinning a yarn with Plymouth’ rope makers.
Thur 14 April.Will Stirling – Sailing a wooden boat to Nelsonaya.
Thur 12 May.Devonport Dockyard’s Women Workers.
Thur 19 May.From sail to Steam, the effect on Devonport.
There will be talks (titles to be announced) on 9 Jun, 14 July, 11 Aug, 8 Sept, 13 Oct, 10 Nov, and 8 Dec (a charity event).
Federation Events Diary 2016 Issue 1 Feb 2016
1
PATRONS of THE FEDERATION
THE LORD MAYOR OF PLYMOUTH. FLAG OFFICER SEA TRAINING Plymouth.
COMMANDER C W CRICHTON OBE ROYAL NAVY.