The VE + 60 Celebration Pageant 2005

Pageantry was enjoyed at Patchetts Green, Aldenham on Saturday, 07 May 2005.

This was an ambitious event for the VE + 60 Celebrations, organised by Brian Hyde.

The event started with a parade led by the Pipes and Drums of the Royal Tank Regiment. These were followed by the Coventry Marching Band, Standard Bearers of the Royal British Legion, Paras, 30 Mounted Troopers of the Household Cavalry, War Veterans, plus Army and Sea Cadets. There were many vintage vehicles brought along by the North London Barmy Army.

The Veterans Assembled and led a march-past, with the Salute taken by the Queen's Representative, The Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Col. Kevin Fitzgerald. This was followed by an Indian civilian marching band (Shree Muktajeevan Pipe Band), in regimental Highland Dress, parading down Pegmire Lane and around the Village Green.

The Household Cavalry performed a Mounted Musical Ride in the Arena of the Patchetts Green Equestrian Centre.

An speech was delivered by the Right Rev. Christopher Foster (Bishop of Hertford), who is the current President of Mencop.

The Shree Muktajeevan Pipe Band played the Indian National Anthem in respect of the 300, 000 soldiers who lost their lives during the World Wars.

There were many other attractions, including the Whitehill Ladies Morris Dancers, the Irish Skehill Dancing Group, Tombola, Face Painting, Childrens Fun Fair.

The highlight of the day was a 7 minute aerobatic display given by Pilot Charlie Brown in his Rolls Royce Merlin engined Spitfire.

After a war-time sing-along, there were two live music groups performing in the marquee during the evening, with the music relayed into the Three Compasses.

There was plenty of food and drink at the Three Compasses, the Equestrian Centre and barbeque food on the Green, including a hog-roast

All proceeds from the event used to to support two charities, the Army Benevolent Fund and Mencop

A video DVD lasting 1 hr 20 minutes has been produced showing much of the event. This was shown at a reunion event held on 06 May 2006.A short video clip should be available on this site soon.

A copy of the DVD can be obtained at a cost of £5 by using the "Video" e-mail address (See: Contacts)

Page updated: 21 May 2006