MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Memorabilia Appeal for Falklands Chapel.
The Commander of the 1982 Falklands Task Force, Admiral Sir John “Sandy” Woodward, has issued an appeal for memorabilia of the conflict for an auction to raise funds for maintenance of the Falklands Memorial Chapel at Pangbourne in Berkshire.
Admiral Woodward and his fellow trustees of the Memorial Chapel Trust are planning the auction for the coming twentieth anniversary year of the conflict. They hope that many of those who served in the campaign will be willing to donate memorabilia items.
He reports that the Memorial Chapel, opened by the Queen in March , 2000, is in perfect working order and attracts a steady stream of visitors but there will be "wear and tear" costs and sometimes major work. The purpose of the planned auction is to top up the Chapel conservation fund.
Admiral Woodward says: "I am willing to start the ball rolling by pledging to donate one of my swords and some oil paintings; other items could include pictures, photographs, maps and charts, ensigns or relevant bits and pieces".
He is asking only for pledges at this stage to assess whether an auction is viable. Several other events are planned at Pangbourne for the anniversary year. There will be a memorial service in June in memory of the British servicemen who lost their lives. This has become an annual event, attended by veterans of the war and relatives of those who died, and Falkland Islands representatives.
Also planned is a Festival of Flowers in mid-May, over three days. The theme is to depict in flower arrangements the Task Force journey, all the way from Portsmouth to Stanley, representing places on the way such as Ascension Island, San Carlos, and the various battles. The festival will begin with a church service and end with a concert by Pangbourne Choral Society.
A similar Flower Festival two years ago had flowers arranged to represent even military aircraft which fought in the conflict. Flower Clubs from the surrounding counties arrange the flowers.
Anyone who can offer items for the auction should contact the Secretary to the Trustees, Mrs J. Parry, at Pangbourne College in Reading, RG8 8LA.
Harold Briley, (MP) London
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