South Holland honours VJ Day 75
Towns and villages across South Holland have held services and wreath laying ceremonies at war memorials for the 75th anniversary of VJ Day.
World War Two veterans were among those paying their respects.
In Spalding, members of various veterans' associations had a socially distanced gathering at the war memorial in Ayscoughfee Gardens.
VJ Day marks the defeat of Japan and the end of World War Two, and services honoured all those who fought in the Far East as well as those who never came home.
Among those taking part in the Spalding service were Royal British Legion standard bearer Graham Hewitt and Steve Wand, who played the bugle.
The Kohima Epitaph and the Act of Homage were read by Colin Jackman, leading to the minute's silence and the National Anthem that the few people who were in the gardens at that time joined in.
Long Sutton remembers VJ Day 75: Father Jonathan Sibley, Charles Moore, Pat Horan, The Royal Naval Association March Branch Standard bearer, and John Clarey with the new planters bought to commemorate VJ Day.
The service was led by the Vicar of Spalding, the Rev John Bennett. Wreaths laid were by Keith Crawford, for The Royal Naval Association, Keith Seaton the Army, Ken Willows for The Lincolns, Yvonne Crawford for the Paras on behalf of David Allmond, and Jan Whitbourn, on behalf of the Royal Air Force.
Jan said: "We tried to think of everyone due to the pandemic and not being able to hold the big event that usually is held in the gardens at this time.
"Thank you to the girls in the cfé who kindly looked after the veterans, serving tea/coffee and rolls afterwards and thank you to the Veterans who supported this event; it would not have felt right not to have performed something at this time.
"I would like to say the last 'hank you' to the Rev John Bennett, who attended especially for the veterans and delivered a beautiful prayer with so much empathy and made us all think about the men who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom."
In Holbeach Burma Star veterans Jack Mills and Alan Barkes joined members of the Royal British Legion branch for a service at the town's war memorial on Saturday morning.
Jack read the Kohima Epitaph and Alan laid the wreath at the memorial.
The two minutes' silence took place at 11am.
A short service and wreath laying ceremony was held at Pinchbeck War Memorial at 11am on Saturday.
Royal British Legion branch chairman Jim Seymour read a brief explanation of VJ Day and recited the Act of Homage.
Branch standard bearer Alan Canhan said: "Following the Last Post and silence a wreath was layed by branch member Mr Ray Pannell, a poignant moment as his brother was a prisoner in Changi prison."
Long Sutton held its service, conducted by Father Jonathan Sibley, on Sunday near two new planters in Cinder Ash Park bought by the parish council to commemorate VJ Day.
Coun John Clarey said a few words on behalf of the parish council.
He said afterwards: "It was a quite small gathering - for social distancing - but very pleasant."
