THERE ARE plenty of places around France where English-speakers can take part in Remembrance services this year.
The following listings are from organisations such as English-speaking churches, who have contacted Connexion to tell us about their events.
NORD/PAS DE CALAIS
Lille: in front of La Bourse, Place d’Opera Lille, November 9, 9.30- 17.30
Morbecque : at the Mairie on November 10
Memorials dedicated to all those of every nation who fell in the first world war. The Nord / Pas de Calais branch of the Royal British Legion is joining with Conféderation National des Anciens Combattants and the German Association of Remembrance on two occasions during the lead up to Armistice Day. It will be the first time the three associations have joined together to sell the poppy, the bleuet and the white forget-me-not. For further information please contact: Anne Campbell Towler ancamin@aol.com or Frederick Massa fmassa@morbeque.fr
LYON
Villeurbanne: La Doua cemetery, November 8, 15.00
A Shared ceremony with Polish, Italian and French organisations. Of particular relevance to those with RAF connections as there are 39 WWII RAF personnel graves.
Lyon 6: Parc de la Tete d’Or, November 11, 10.00-12.30
Ceremonies start at the Enfants du Rhône monument near the main entrance to the park.
Saint-Germain-au-Mont d’Or : Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery, November 14, 9.45-12.30.
There was a British rest camp and hospital at Saint-Germain in the First World War where many died, as well as 11 Second World War RAF graves.
For further details on any of these ceremonies (Lyon) please contact Brian Rosen at brian.rosen@orange.fr
SOMME
Thiepval Memorial, November 11, 10:40
Every November 11 the Somme Branch of the Royal British Legion hold a Service of Remembrance at the Thiepval Memorial. All are welcome.
The service normally starts around 10.40 and is followed by a short service at the local French war memorial
Dinard: Saint Bartholomews Church, November 8, 10.45
This is the Royal British Legion Remembrance Service. There will also be ceremonies in Normandy in the Ranville area on November 10 and 11. Please contact Kate Curtis on 02 97 39 60 69 or email kissmekate1@orange.fr for more information.
POITOU-CHARENTES
Arcay, November 15, 11.00
A ‘Remembrance’ element will be included in the Holy Communion service held by ESCOVAL (The English Speaking Church of the Valley of the Loire) on November 15 at 11:00. It is taking place at Arçay church in the north of Vienne, just over the border from Deux-Sèvres. All denominations are welcome. Details: Bob Quick on 05 49 22 43 21 or www.escoval.org
Montbron, November 10, 18.00
To commemorate the 70 years that have passed since the end of the Second World War, Voces Concordiae choir are leading an Act of Remembrance in the St Maurice Church in Montbron, Charente on November 10. Now in its third year, the event will include songs, hymns, readings and poems in both English and French to remember the sacrifices made through previous and successive wars. The Act of Remembrance will be marked by the Last Post and a minute’s silence. The event starts at 18:00 with free admission. Details of the event and the choir www.vocesconcordiae.com
PAYS-DE-LA-LOIRE
Puy-de-Serre, November 8, 10:45
Two Acts of Remembrance are being held by the congregations of All Saints Vendée in the Vendée department. The first is in Puy-de-Serre on November 8, the day on which the Cenotaph Parade takes place in London. It will start in the church car park at 10:45.
Crash site near Angles, November 11, 14:30: Another service is happening at the crash site of a Halifax bomber near Angles that killed five men in 1941. The service will begin at 14:30 at the site (midway between Angles and Les Conches on the D468 on the north side of the road) on November 11 and will be followed with an Act of Remembrance in Angles cemetery at 15:00. Details: Doug Green 05 49 72 18 46 or visit www.allsaintsvendee.fr
AQUITAINE
Bordeaux: November 8, 10.30
Bertric Burée (Dordogne) : November 8, 10.30
Eymet Temple (Dordogne) : November 8, 10.30
Négrondes (Dordogne) : November 8, 10.30
Limeuil (Dordogne) : November 8, 10.30
Monteton (Lot-et-Garonne), November 8, 16.00
Condom (Gers), November 8, 10.45
The Chaplaincy of Aquitaine is holding various Remembrance services on November 8. There are services at 10:30 in Bordeaux and in the Dordogne towns of Bertric-Burée, Eymet, Négrondes and Limeuil. There is also a service in Condom (Gers) starting at 10.45 and in Monteton (Lot-et-Garonne) at 16.00. Details: Amy Owensmith 06 07 04 07 77 or visit www.churchinaquitaine.org
Photo: Thiepval Memorial; by Amanda Slater, www.wikipedia.org
