Mayor of Worcester Blog

Hold dear our armed forces

On Saturday I travelled, with my cousin Betsan, to the beautiful town of Vernon in France, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Vernon.

I kept close to me the Mayoral chain and Betsan looked after our late Harold Allcott’s replica medals. We travelled on the Eurostar, which I fully recommend as it is efficient and kind to the environment.

The Twinning Association organised the trip and along with the Civic Office multiple travel arrangements fell neatly into place.

Several members of the Worcester Twinning Committee travelled as members and stayed with their French hosts.

Veterans of the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regimental Association, Major Richard Fox and wife Anne and Robert Atkinson and wife Carol also travelled and stayed at a hotel in Vernon with Betsan and myself.

On the day of the commemoration our group paid tributes at five locations alongside French dignitaries, veterans, twinning committee members and constituents.

The first stop was the Tilly Foundation.  I laid a wreath and made a speech in French.

For me the most poignant stop was at the War Memorial at the Vernnonet Cemetery.

Face to face with the gravestones of the Worcestershire Royal Regiment for me really hit home.

I was able to wear Harold Allcott’s replica medals and clutched them tightly as I thought about how many lives were lost.

At the formal ceremony I laid a wreath alongside the Twinning Association and other wreath layers.

It was reassuring to have children alongside us at the wreath laying.  A comfort that the lessons of history are being taught for a better future.

After the ceremony a French resident went out of his way to thank me for my speech.  It was a privilege having been able to do so.  Thank you to all veterans.

The first half of August has been spent very much in the centre of our city of Worcester.

Consort Andy and myself attended the Stevie Stones Inaugural Annual Charity Ball. Founded on the back of personal tragedy, this charity is truly amazing. Its aim is to ensure bereaved parents have access to funding to provide a headstone for their child, helping with financial stress, in the most difficult of circumstance. Do view their website at steviestones.co.uk.

The ball was hosted at our beautiful New Road cricket ground. The Got2Sing choir were, as ever, a treat to listen to, and lots of fundraising events took place including a silent auction and a live auction. I secured a signed Manchester United 23/24 squad signed football – although I am a West Bromwich Albion fan. Please judge as you may!

I have had the honour of opening both the Worcester Festival and the Worcester Show, a real community event. With the awful recent riots in other cities, it was particularly heartwarming to be able to attend and enjoy this event. It was the busiest I have ever seen it, the weather was fabulous and I was able to present trophies to some very talented people, adults and youngsters alike.

Consort Andy and myself also attended the WODYS (Worcester Operatic and Drama Society Youth Section) matinee performance of The Addams Family. The cast were stunning and with the live orchestra and atmospheric stage, we were very much transported into the world of Addams.

The story is very clever, with all the dark humour you would expect around a supernatural musical. Yet behind this, there is the story of two families, of different generations, of family life. Time moves on and family life changes. The production brings this home with an immensely talented young cast who can act, dance and sing. Find out more at www.wodys.com.

With July and August being the main summer holiday period. this week has been a time for planning.

I will be visiting Vernon in France, with veterans of the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment Association, plus members of the Worcester Twinning Association and my cousin Betsan Allcott.

During 1944 the Resistance fighters of Vernon joined the French Forces of the Interior. With only a few weapons at their disposal their initial actions were limited.

Operation Neptune began on 25 August and the artillery of the 94th Field Regiment laid down a barrage of high explosive on the high ground of the north bank of the Seine. Tanks and mortars along the river front opened up and the 8th Middlesex Regiment were laying down a smokescreen for the assaulting troops as the 5th Wiltshires and 4th Somersets were making their move across the river in storm boats.

On 26 August the Worcestershire Regiment was given the order to cross the damaged road bridge under the cover of artillery smoke. Meeting no opposition, they were quickly followed by the Company and marching elements of the Battalion.

Due to a map reading error they met heavy opposition. By 27 August the “D” company had advanced towards Tilly. By 28 August ration parties had despatched to a rendezvous on a main road and casualties were attended to.

I am not a military expert so I would recommend the Worcestershire Regiment website for the full detail of the battle.

It is important and a real privilege to be able to attend Vernon and remember the forces from both sides. My cousin Betsan and I will also take this opportunity to remember our late relative, Harold Benjamin Allcott, a Royal Field Artillery Gunner, who was sadly lost in 1918, before this war.