Melton's annual Battle of Britain parade draws the crowds

Brave men who gave their lives defending their country in the Battle of Britain were remembered in Melton on Sunday.
The parade makes it's way down Nottingham Street EMN-160920-113152001The parade makes it's way down Nottingham Street EMN-160920-113152001
The parade makes it's way down Nottingham Street EMN-160920-113152001

The parade, led by the Melton Toy Soldiers band, consisted of serving personnel from the Defence Animal Centre Royal Air Force Police, members of the Air Training Corps No 1279 (Melton Mowbray) Squadron, 2248 (Rutland) Squadron and 1181 (Syston) Squadron, veterans from the Melton Mowbray branch of the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) and the Royal British Legion.

The parade marched through town to Egerton Memorial Gardens where a short commemoration and a wreath laying service was held.

The service was officiated by padre John Hewer who is the padre for No 1279 Squadron and also the south and east midlands wing padre.

Royal British Legion representatives and Air Cadets enter the Memorial Gardens EMN-160920-113811001Royal British Legion representatives and Air Cadets enter the Memorial Gardens EMN-160920-113811001
Royal British Legion representatives and Air Cadets enter the Memorial Gardens EMN-160920-113811001

Wreaths were laid by local organisations including Melton Police (sgt Paul Kear), Melton Town Estate (senior townwarden Dinah Hickling), Melton Council (mayor David Wright), RAFA (president Hadge Jarvis), British Legion (chairman Bob Wilson) plus wreaths from the Air Training Corps and Combined Cadet Force (RAF) Section.

After the parade refreshments were served at the RAFA club on Asfordby Road.

Volunteers from the RAFA branch carried out street collections in the town centre on Tuesday and Saturday and raised approximately £1,000 for the Wings Appeal, bringing the year’s total to £2,500 to date.