Town prepares for plane poppy drop during annual service
THE plane that will drop thousands of poppies onto Bedworth town centre during the annual Armistice Day Parade and Service has been revealed.
This year an Auster J1N plane will spray red poppies over the town from the skies during the annual service in the cemetery on Friday, November 11.
In the past a Tiger Moth and Beechcraft 18 planes have been used for the stunning part of the special event. But this year the 1940s British singleengined three-seat high-wing touring monoplane will be used.
JE Hackett and Sons of Bedworth has once again sponsored what will be a stunning spectacle during the event. Final preparations are now being put in place ahead of the event, which has given Bedworth its proud name - as the town that never forgets.
It is the only place outside London to have continuously marked the day World War One ended, at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month. Such is its pride that the town plays home to an Armistice Shrine - which includes a special wall on Rye Piece Ringway.
The parade will pass the wall following the service and also the peace podium just further down the road, where the salute will be taken by dignitaries. Ken Whitehead, Armistice committee chairman, said that a giant TV screen will be set up by All Saints C of E Church in the town centre so that the crowds can watch the service, which will take place after the parade in the cemetery.
“We will have a big screen, 5m x 3m, and it will be by the church so that people in the ‘Square can see it,” he said. “This year, we also have a surprise for the kids as the parade comes down for the salute.
“We don’t want to give it away but it should be brilliant.”
Road closures are set to be in place from 9.30am and the dignitaries will meet at the town centre church, ahead of the parade getting under way.
“Everything looks great for it,” he said. “We are the town that never forgets and we are looking forward to seeing everyone there on the day.”
Those who would like to help support the Armistice parade can also buy official merchandise, including a new spitfire badge. These are available at Harry’s Bakery, Nationwide and Coventry Building Society, Carters estate agents, Bella Donna Flowers, All Saints News and at the Mayors cafe in the Miners Welfare Park.
Merchandise can also be bought at the Miners Arms pub, Fiesta Party, Bedworth Liberal Club, Jason’s hair dressers, the Trent Valley Club, the Exservice club, the Collycroft club, Posh Nosh indoor market, Glenn’s Hair dressers and Tera Razza Cafe.