Preparations for the Festival started early in the year when the committee had the first of many meetings to decide on the programme of music and readings and who we would like to perform as soloists. There is much to do during the year to ensure the smooth running of the Festival on the day.
On the Tuesday before the event, all the performers gathered for a dress rehearsal in the church. Meanwhile the local WI were busy baking cakes to serve at the Remembrance Festival.
The scouts and ATC took an important role on the day, laying out and clearing the chairs, manning the car park and laying out programmes. They also took an active part during the Festival, acting as ushers, performing a guard of honour and in the flag folding procession. The St John Ambulance were in attendance just in case one of our guests was taken ill and they also performed a most valuable job of taking the retiring collection.
Our thanks to those who helped the Trust behind the scenes:
1st East Wickham Scout Group
ATC 358 Welling Squadron
Cray District WI
Clergy of St Michael’s Church, Reverend Peter Organ and Reverend Mark Smith
Photographers Helen Redding and Sylvia Scotting
Sound Technicians Richard Faulkner, Mark Jiggens, Dan Bywater
St John Ambulance Bexley Division
Our thanks to our performers:
Belvedere Concert Band
Bill Cooper
Doug Snow
East Wickham Singers and Cray District WI Choir
Gari Glaysher
Gerald Bishop