Pagham on Parade has sombre tone

The informal remembrance service at Pagham on Parade was complemented by a display of eight military vehicles alongside scores of classic cars.

The Rev Keith Smith, vicar of St Thomas a'Becket Church in Pagham, led an audience of about 200 people in the recognition of the sacrifices by the armed forces on their behalf.

He was accompanied by the standard bearer of the Royal British Legion's Bognor Regis branch, Tony Tucker.

The service was the community's reflection on the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landings in June.

But Mr Smith said soldiers were still paying with their lives.

"Another of our troops has been killed today. It's easy to think of it in terms of something a long, long way away and it does not impinge on us.

"What it does impinge on is a community. When someone dies, it does affect a community, whether it be a family or a small group.

"By coming together we can support each other and encourage each other in those circumstances.

"I know of one chap who got married a couple of months ago who is going to Afghanistan next month.

"We need to keep people like him in our thoughts. There are people who do difficult things on our behalf, the emergency services and the armed services particularly among them."

The event included a minute's silence, a prayer and a minute's applause for the armed forces.

Mr Smith praised Sunday's event as showing the best of the community. "This is so important when we come together.

"This is a very special part of the community and long may it

continue," he said.

Mr Tucker, who is also the Legion's Bognor branch chairman, said: "Anything that is to do with the services is worthwhile.

"People are far more aware of the armed forces because of the fighting which is going on in Afghanistan and Iran."

The Legion had an outdoor stall close to the arena in the Pagham Village Hall car park. Fellow services charity Help for Heroes had a presence inside the hall.

Fundraiser Jean Le Bouylier said: "We have been busy today. Everybody has been very generous.

"When I got involved with Help for Heroes last September, I had to explain to people what it was about. I don't have to do that any more. Everyone knows about Help for Heroes now."

But there was much more joy to Sunday's occasion based around the village hall, its car park and adjoining field.

A total of 102 vehicles were booked for display. They included 84 classic cars from a 1934 Standard 12 saloon to a 1963 Volva P1800 Coupe.

The military vehicles included a 1944 Jeep and 1942 Dodge weapons carrier, while 11 motorcycles provided a snapshot of the history of two-wheeled transport.

Plenty of other attractions were also available for an estimated attendance of about 2,000.

They included arena displays, such as line dancing, and a range of charity stalls.

The event was held by Pagham Parish Council for the fifth year.

Delighted council chairman Ray Radmall said: "This is a tremendous atmosphere and shows there is a tremendous community in Pagham.

"It puts Pagham on the map during the summer."

He said this year's switch of arena displays to the car park

and vehicles to the field had been a success.

Voluntary donations on the gate came to 925 thanks to people's

generosity. The barbecue sold out.

He thanked all those on and off the council who had worked hard to make the event do so well.

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