Festival of Remembrance

“The Forget Never, Oublier Jamais, Vergessen Niemals”  Project  launched by MP Stephen Metcalfe in July 2014 provided the opportunity for two youths, who are part of the project, to be a part of the Festival of Remembrance at The Royal Albert Hall.

 Jonathan Horst 18 from Velbert, Germany and Jade Petchey 19 from Southend were honoured to be chosen and represented the project delivering the Anglo/German tribute in the finale at the festival.

Jonathan and Jade presented the President, Lieutenant General Sir John Kiszely KCB MC, of the Royal British Legion with a poppy posy which was laid on top of the regimental drums in the centre of the auditorium. The two youths then addressed the audience reading a pray in both English and German.

 

Jaded and JJonathanrehearsing at The Royal Albert Hall

Rehearsal with the amazing War Horse and John Tamms

Joss Stone chatting with some of the navy backstage

Jonathan from Velbert near Heiligenhaus and Jade from Southend have been working with the team to write short poems and stories relating to research carried out by The Basildon Borough Heritage Group based on the lives of three soldiers, one from Basildon and one from each of Basildon’s twinning towns, Meaux in France and Heiligenhaus in Germany.

At the end of the Festival, RBL President, Lieutenant General Sir John Kiszely KCB MC presented Jonathan with the Posy that had been laid on the regimental drums as thank you, from the RBL, for his participation in this year’s special commemorative event.

We asked Jonathan to comment on the weekends events from a German Perspective

 "The whole remembrance day was an amazing festival which really impressed me. It had a particular atmosphere due to its very emotional show acts. In addition a feeling of togetherness was created because we all (the performers) tried to do our best and to contribute to a successful event. Personally, it was interesting to see the British way this memorial day, because in Germany it is much less popular. In addition to that the festival showed reconciliation between two former enemies and even underlines today's friendship. For me it was an huge honour and great fun to be part of the Festival of remembrance, moreover it made my very proud. To participate in the show was truly exciting and will be a memory I'll never forget"

Jonathan and Jade waiting backstage

The unique nature of this project, as recognised by the Lottery Heritage Fund who have awarded the project over £50,000, is that it brings together the three twinning towns to create a tri-lingual commemoration of the centenary. The project will continue to explore what life was like in the three townships; attitudes from the three points of view and, most importantly, allow us to remember the people – those who died, those who suffered incredible injuries and of course those who survived and kept the communities running during this important period in our history.

Jonathan and Jade delivering the Angle/German tribute

  The Queen's Colour Squadron and the Band of HM Royal Marines performed along with Joss Stone and Jeff Beck, Jim Radford and Sol3 Mio plus a special appearance from War Horse. Here are some images from the evening's performance of The Festival of Remembrance.

The British Royal Legion standards

The Queen's Colour Squadron of the Rpyal Air Force

The Royal Marines, Portsmouth

John Tams and The National Theatre Company of War Horse

Joss Stone and Jeff Beck perform "No Man's Land (Green Fields of France)

The Muster

 The annual Festival, held at the Royal Albert Hall, commemorated and honored all those who have lost their lives in conflicts dating from World War 1, hosted by The Royal British Legion. This year's festival theme was A Century of Service and sacrifice and acknowledged the centenary of the start of the First World War, 70 years since the Normandy landings and the withdrawal from Afghanistan this year. 

Jonathon, Jade, Matthew, Jim Radford and Jonas at the after show party

Joanthon chats to Stephen Clarke, Head of Remembrance for the Royal British Legion