THE WEATHER wasn't exactly kind for Armed Forces Day in Ledbury, but that didn't put off the crowds last Saturday.

Repeated deluges failed to dampen spirits, as thousands of people from all over the county gathered for an event and a military parade to remember.

Even visitors from America were spotted, talking to Ledbury's town crier, Bill "The Bell" Turberfield.

The event, officially called the Herefordshire 1916 Centenary Celebration, paid tribute in particular to those who gave their lives at the Battle of the Somme and the sea battle of Jutland, one hundred years ago this year.

It was the first time that Armed Forces day has been celebrated outside Hereford; but so well-received was the event, Ledbury's delighted mayor, Cllr Debbie Baker, would like it to become an annual event in the town.

She said: "It went extremely well, despite the weather, and I have heard a lot of positive feedback, from members of the parade and from the onlookers, who were overwhelmed by the show of support. It was a good turnout.

"The fact we have this connection with HMS Ledbury means I would like the day to be the start of a new tradition for the town."

Cllr Bob Barnes, a member of the organising committee, said: "The day was a credit to the town, and we coped very well, I think."
He estimated that up to 2,500 people perhaps more, were in the town centre for the parade.
Around 2,000 free brochures were given away, "but it wasn't one brochure per person".

The parade, which took place from 2.15pm included representatives from The Guard and Colours of HMS Ledbury and detachments from the county’s sea, army and air cadets, and proud members of the Royal British Legion.

Crowds numbers, which had built up slowly during the day, were at their peak for the parade.

But there was plenty to do and see before then, including displays of both First World War and modern military hardware and memorabilia; a chance to try a soldiers' rations of bully beef and potatoes for free, and even the opportunity to get up close to a full-scale working replica of a World War One tank.

Meanwhile, the Recruiting Sergeant in period uniform did his best to get young and old alike "to sign up" for the Front.

It was, in all, a moving, enjoyable and thought-provoking occasion.

There was a moment of drama and great sadness, however, when a Royal British Legion veteran collapsed in the High Street.

Brian Reader was due to take part in Saturday’s parade alongside fellow veterans from the Royal British
Legion (RBL) County Rally when he suffered a heart attack.
He was later pronounced dead at Hereford Hospital.
Cllr Barnes paid a glowing tribute to the St John's ambulance crew who were immediately on the scene to assist Mr Reader, until the ambulance arrived.
Cllr Barnes said: "They were magnificent and did a marvellous job. What happened was unfortunate; but the gentleman was doing what he wanted to do, with his comrades.
"My sincere condolences go to his family."
Lloyd Meredith, chairman of the Ledbury Branch of the Royal British Legion, described the incident as "very sad".

Mr Reader, who moved with his wife Rita to Ledbury from Lugwardine last year, served a full career in the
Army within the Royal Mechanical and Electrical Engineers (REME).
Mr Reader, the organist at Stretton Grandison’s St Lawrence Church, was a member of the RBL and had been secretary of the Bartestree branch.

Pics by Gary Bills-Geddes, unless otherwise stated.