Royal Air Force Association members and Air Cadets joined 60 of the congregation at St John the Evangelist Churchdown and Innsworth for a special service to ‘lay up the standard’.
Chris Hill was present at the ceremony. He said, “The Revd Canon Jacqui Hyde assisted by the Revd Martin Loveless, RAF conducted a beautiful service of laying up the retiring standard and commissioning their new standard.”
During the service, the Standard is a symbol of the fallen, with the Presenting Officer saying, “I ask you to receive the Standard for the Gloucester Royal Air Forces Association Branch for safe lodging in the House of God until such a time it shall pass to dust, like those whose courage and devotion are enshrined in history.”
Chris continued, “Our parish encompasses both the military base at Innsworth and Staverton Airport, the historic location for training RAF police dogs. It was therefore an entirely appropriate location to lay up the retiring standard.
“Over 60 members of the congregation together with RAFA members and Air Cadets enjoyed the Service and the refreshments afterwards turning it all into a splendid afternoon.”
At the service over £250 was raised for the RAFA Wings Appeal.
News Hub
