Talavera gathering to remember the past and look to the future

The windows, which commemorate service in India and the First Boer War in the late nineteenth century, have been restored by the Saint Sepulchre’s Restoration Trust after a considerable fund-raising effort, with 120 year-old stonework and lead replaced and the glass thoroughly cleaned.

The service was attended by the Lord-Lieutenant of Northamptonshire, Mr James Saunders Watson and his wife Lizzie, the Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland Dr Sarah Furness, the County Colonel of the Royal Anglian Regiment Colonel Robert Blomfield, Chairman of West Northamptonshire Council John Shephard, Chair of North Northamptonshire Council Barbara Jenney, Vice-Chair of Rutland County Council Samantha Harvey, Sir Michael Ellis MP for Northampton North, the Mayor of Northampton Stephen Hibbert and Mayoress Liz Cox, Councillor Paul Ainsley, Armed Forces Champion of Oakham Town Council, Trustees of the Restoration Trust, veterans of the Regimental Association and standards of the Royal British Legion from both counties.

Also in attendance were Brigadier Richrd Lyne, Deputy Colonel of the Royal Anglian Regiment, and officers and men of the 2nd Battalion from Kendrew Barracks Cottesmore led by their Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Ben Hawes, plus Cadets from A Company Leicestershire Northamptonshire & Rutland Army Cadet Force led by their Officer Commanding Major Jordan Peplow. Brooke Weston Academy CCF was also represented, and Major Andrew Huxter, Contingent Commander Uppingham School CCF, read a lesson.

The re-dedication was made by Bishop Andrew Proud Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Peterborough, and the service led by The Reverend Tom Wilde, Chaplain to 2 Royal Anglian. The Band of The Royal Anglian Regiment played throughout and there was tea & cake for all afterwards.

The link with Rutland is the 58th Foot, the old Rutlandshire Regiment, which amalgamated with the 48th or Northamptonshires to form the 2nd Battalion of the new Northamptonshire Regiment in 1881. In 1964 the Northamptons joined with the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment to become the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment.

The presence of so many young Cadets added to the poignancy of the occasion. CCF and ACF Cadets provided the Guard of Honour and laid two wreaths during the service. Afterward, they were all addressed by Brigadier Lyne in his role as Colonel Cadets for the Royal Anglian Regiment. He said “It was brilliant to see so many Cadets on parade and taking such an important part in today’s events. There is no doubt there is great mutual benefit in the different generations of the Army family coming together, and our Regimental family is rightly proud of the Cadets who wear our cap badge. An event like this represents a fusion of past, present and future. It is inspirational to see young people so enthusiastic about participating with the modern Army and contributing to its future while still engaging with the history of their forebears.”