Page 28 • The HERALD • 16th July 2026 v BRINGING THE GOOD NEWS TO YOU SINCE 1994 v Kitchen & Bathroom Showroom with free design service Tel: 023 8084 3787 Email: showroom@pcbuildingsupplies.co.uk Web: www.pcbuildingsupplies.co.uk Internal & External Decorating Wallpapering & Dustless Sanding FULLY INSURED PROFESSIONAL PAINTER & DECORATOR MARK 1 PROPERTY MAINTENANCE Lepe Country Park Memorial Service To Commemorate The 82nd, Anniversary Of The D-Day Embarkation by Patricia Hedley-Goddard On Sunday 7th June Lepe Country Park held their annual memorial service to remember the D-Day embarkation from Lepe Beach and the Solent, to the beaches of Normandy in France on 6th June 1944. is popular ceremony commenced at 11am to the stirring sight and sound of the Hampshire Caledonian Pipe Band, resplendent in their smart uniform and kilts. ey led the Royal British Legion Banner Parade (representing many of the British Legion O ces throughout Hampshire) smart in their uniforms proudly carrying their beautiful colourful banners. e ceremony took place on the cli op at the Anchor Memorial. e ceremony was led by the Reverend Ian McGill and opened with a succinct introduction from Sir Julian Lewis MP highlighting the importance of the sacri ce so many men gave so that we may live freely without being slaves to another regime. e Reverend Ian McGill gave the opening prayer which was followed by the pipe band playing the famous hymn ‘Abide with me’. is was followed by a Prayer for the Fallen, a bible reading, and then the Pipe A male a cappella choir is opening its doors to new members as it looks to build on recent success. Ocean Harmony has been based at Colbury Memorial Hall, Ashurst for more than 20 years, performing in and around Southampton and the New Forest at various venues and in local competitions. e highlight of the choir’s calendar is competing in the British Association of Barbershop Singers’ annual Convention which attracts top choruses from around the UK. It was held in Harrogate this year and that is where Ocean Harmony underlined its continuing progress by nishing six places higher than the previous contest in Bournemouth. Chairman Glyn Perrens said: “With the event being held in North Yorkshire it meant we took a smaller choir than the previous year. However the reduced line-up performed well and reflected the general improvement we have been seeing throughout the chorus in the last couple of years.” Ocean Harmony is now looking to boost its membership and is inviting male singers - and those who have not sung before and would like to give it a try - to go along to a rehearsal on a Wednesday evening at 7.15pm. Band played the haunting music of ‘Amazing Grace’ which sounded wonderful in the open air on the cli top, with the sound of the sea in the background. Patricia Hedley-Goddard then read a poem called Tommy, then the Act of Remembrance was read by a representative from the Royal British Legion and the Last Post was played with the lowering of the banners followed by a 2 minute silence. Jon Smith from the Royal British Legion read the Kohima Epitaph: “When you go home tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow we gave our today.” is was followed by the laying of the wreaths around Local Male A Cappella Choir Looking For New Members Lepe Country Park D-Day Memorial Service (Photo: Alan Burtenshaw) the Anchor, a short prayer from the Reverend McGill, e Lord’s Prayer, e National Anthem and a nal blessing from the Minister. The Pipe Band then marched away playing a beautiful tune followed by the Royal British Legion Banner Parade, amid applause from the congregation. Glyn added: “It may all seem a bit daunting when you talk about harmony singing but around half of our choir had not sung before joining us. We will guide all newcomers every step of the way and help them discover what section best suits their voice. We often hear people say to us ‘I can’t sing’ but in fact almost everybody can sing and we’d love to have the opportunity to demonstrate this to you.” For more information contact Glyn on: 07965 225274, email: chair@oceanharmony.co.uk or simply drop into any Wednesday evening rehearsal at Colbury. Ocean Harmony performing at the British Association of Barbershop Singers’ Convention in Harrogate
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