Ballinamallard pays its thankful respects
IT WAS a bright and sunny day as the annual Remembrance Sunday parade took place in Ballinamallard last Sunday morning (November 13).
The parade set off from the flagpole in Ballinamallard just before 11am.
Led by Ballinamallard Accordion Band, the parade included ex-service men, the Girls’ Friendly Society, Ballinamallard Girls’ Brigade and Ballinamallard Scouts.
The streets were lined with onlookers as the parade travelled through the village towards Ballinamallard Methodist Church, where it then paused outside the church. At this point, the Girls’ Brigade left the parade to attend the
Remembrance service in the Methodist church.
The parade continued back through the village to Magheracross Church of Ireland, where the main Remembrance service was held.
Archdeacon Brian Harper led the service. Wreaths were laid in the church by the Royal British Legion, the Scouts, Girls’ Friendly Society and Girls’ Brigade and a representative of the church.
During the Act of Remembrance, Victor Mckenzie read the names from the war memorial, and following the minute’s silence, Archdeacon Harper recited the Exhortation.
The Last Post and Reveille were sounded by bugler Luke Henderson.
Lessons were read by Henry Robinson and Richard Mcbride, and the church choir sang during the service. The National Anthem was sang by the congregation at the end of the service.
Meanwhile, in the Methodist church, Rev. John Beacom led the Remembrance service, with Major Jimmy Hetherington (retired) leading the Act of Remembrance.
Wreaths were laid by representatives of the Girls’ Brigade, Girls’ Friendly Society, Royal British Legion, the Scouts and a representative of the church. The lesson was read by Fergus Hall.
After the services, the parade reformed outside the Church of Ireland and travelled back to the Methodist church, where it was rejoined by the Girls’ Brigade before returning to the flagpole, where the gathering concluded with the National Anthem.