The Lord-Lieutenant attended the Remembrance Service and Parade in Rochester this year where she was joined by the High Sheriff of Kent and of course, the Dean of Rochester who is one of our Deputy Lieutenants. We were delighted to welcome Commodore Bellfield, Royal Navy’s Naval Regional Commander, to Kent for this year’s Remembrance Services. The Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadet, Cadet Sergeant Owen Gehrke de Rose, assisted her on this important day.
Deputy Lieutenants across the County attended Remembrance events and laid wreaths to mark this significant date in the Nation’s calendar.
Deputy Lieutenant, Jane Carey-Harris, attended a Service and laid a wreath at St John the Baptist Hospital Almshouses, the oldest almshouse in England. The almshouse was established in 1085 by Lanfranc, Archbishop of Canterbury, as a residence for men and women.
Deputy Lieutenants, Victoria Wallace and Rosemary Dymond attended parades and services in Maidstone and Northfleet and laid wreaths on behalf of the Lord-Lieutenant.
A short service of remembrance, led by Alison Callway, was held at Otham war memorial, near Maidstone. Despite the rain, more than 30 attended, including a good number of young people. Trevor Sturgess DL read a passage from the New Testament before the two-minute silence. He then laid a wreath on behalf of the Lord-Lieutenant of Kent, followed by children and representatives of local organisations, including the church, parish councils, residents associations and the military.
Kent Royal British Legion formally launched this year’s Poppy Appeal in Kent with a Civic Launch held at County Hall in Maidstone and hosted by the Chairman of Kent County Council, Mr Gary Cooke. Deputy Lieutenant, Chris Nickols represented the Lord-Lieutenant at this special event and received a poppy alongside the High Sheriff and veterans living in Kent.
