The Potton Benefice pays Tribute to the Fallen of Two World Wars and other Conficts

---

---

This report usually starts with our morning service but this week the first item has to be a report on the success of Saturday’s Bonfire and Firework evening arranged by St Mary’s as we do every year. Actually the evening nearly didn’t even go ahead as it was very borderline for a while because of gusting winds and our firework professional working to the guidelines, thought the winds were too high, but minute by minute forecasts were saying that between 6pm and 7pm, the winds would calm down and lo and behold, they did! It was just as well that happened as by 7pm we had well over 500 adults plus many more children in the field all expecting the display to start. In the event, we didn’t disappoint them, with a fantastic show this year like never before. However, mainly on the downside a bit, we were so overwhelmed with the numbers turning up this year that we underestimated the refreshments on offer and sold out more quickly than usual, but we did not get any complaints so we will try and adjust that for next year, which we have already booked. We were really pleased with the numbers who came but parking was a problem as it always is in Potton, but even with this, we heard no one complaining. So thank you everyone who came and we’ll see you all again next year hopefully.

Our Morning Service this week was the ever popular Friends and Family all age activity service. Led by the Rev Alex and the F and F Team, we found everyone working away in the craft part of the service, producing items for our theme this month, Remembrance. The children were particularly busy and the “grown ups” were busy knitting Poppies or producing them by other crafty means. The children particularly enjoyed the activities but also learned why Remembrance is so important at this time of the year. The Rev Alex organised a small memory game for the children, remembering ten items laid out on a tray and viewing them for only 1 minute. This was won by Cordelia but other children did very well. Next month on December 5th, the Friends and Family theme will be Advent and Christmas so make a note and let’s have another fantastic turnout for this popular service.

Remembrance Sunday. Potton Residents will again gather this year on the Market Square on November 14th at 10am, for the start of this year's Remembrance tribute. A short service led by the Rev Alex Wheatley and Major Christine McCutcheon, SA, will take place outside the Library before everyone forming up into a Parade to walk to the War Memorial at the Cemetery in Sandy Road. At the War Memorial, the names of the Fallen will be read out whilst the children lay crosses in the ground and Wreaths from all local organisations will be laid on the War Memorial base. The service will finish with the National Anthem after the Last Post has been played by the Salvation Army Trumpeter. The parade will then return to the Market Square for final dismissal. For those unable to walk to the Memorial, there will be a gathering in the Brookend Community Centre who will be able to watch the tributes at the Cenotaph.

Potton always does well in remembering their Fallen Sons of two World Wars, let’s hope we all pray for them again this year as well!

Services for next Sunday 14th November, Remembrance Day. 9am St John’s Church, Cockayne Hatley, Holy Communion, with Rev. Alex Wheatley, (Also on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81503383687 Meeting ID: 815 0338 3687) 9am All Saints Church, Sutton Holy Communion, with Rev. Gillian Orpin. 10.15am, Remembrance Day service on the Market Square, continuing at the War Memorial at the Sandy Road Cemetery at 11am. Services led by Rev Alex Wheatley and Major Christine McCutcheon, SA

Pictures from Today's Friends and Family Service