OUTWELL: Villagers turn out in force to mark Remembrance Sunday

AT one point there was doubt as to whether Outwell would have its own Act of Remembrance. But the village did - and it was a roaring success.

A piper led the parade, the Girls' Brigade joined the village's commemoration for the first time and, for the first time in several years, a bugler played the Last Post rather than a recording.

Outwell Parish Councillor Margaret Spicer said: "We had a very good turnout and we were very pleased. It was a real treat to see so many people come out in support.

"We had several problems over previous years and we were thinking that enough was enough. But thankfully we kept going and it was fantastic to see so many people standing nearby, watching the proceedings and paying their respects."

The parade assembled at Beaupre Primary School shortly before 2.30pm and paraded to the village war memorial, within the grounds of St Clement's Church.

It was led by piper Geraldine Ingle; the Rev Alan Jesson of St Clement's Church; the Rev David Ely of St Andrew's Methodist Church; and the Reader Vivien Bull of St Clement's Church.

They were followed by the standards for Upwell and District Royal British Legion; the Royal British Legion Women's Section; and the First Upwell Company Girls' Brigade.

Outwell Parish Councillors, Outwell Fire-fighters, members of the British Legion and Women's Section and the Girls Brigade were also in the parade.

At the memorial, the Act of Remembrance was led by Rev Ely and Rev Jesson, and wreaths were laid on behalf of the British Legion; the fire service; the Capital of the Fens branch of the Oddfellows; Outwell Parish Council; and the Girls' Brigade. The Last Post was then played by bugler Kevin Steward.

The village's Act of Remembrance was ended with a service at St Clement's Church, led by Rev Ely and Rev Jesson.