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July 2020 July 2020

However, I hope we will go on to find the support we need and do even better in LOCKDOWN STORIES
the future. After all the turmoil of the last three months we will be glad to have
something pleasant to look forward to at 2.30 on the second Wednesday of every
month at the newly decorated Scout Hut. th
Reflection on the 50 Anniversary of VE Day – Peter Gordon
Let us hope that it will not be too long before we can announce that we are The recent VE Day 75 Anniversary celebrations brought back some fantastic
th
meeting again.
memories of my family’s involvement twenty five years ago in the national 50
th
SDB Anniversary ceremony in Hyde Park. Our three children, Louise aged 14, Sam
aged 12 and Jake aged 7 were members of a North London choir, the Finchley
Children’s Music Group. For the VE day (and later the VJ Day) celebrations, the
WAREHAM FOREST FIRE choir was part of the Voices Foundation which provided children as singers and
VIP escorts. My wife, Janey, and I were chaperones and so were in amongst the
children while they carried out their duties.
We thought our readers might be interested in the first hand account of the
devastating fire in Wareham Forest last month. There was a large
‘Dome of Peace’ set
up in Hyde Park where
Well…. It is now Sunday 24 and this is probably my worst day yet. the Queen and sixty
th
heads of state formed
But I have to start with Friday 22 . a procession and laid
nd
signed ‘olive leaves’ on
Started the day with a hornet in the kitchen which hopefully flew out of the house
once I opened windows and doors. My neighbour kindly removed the nest from a map of the world. A
the porch.

Decided to walk over the other side of the road to see the fire damage there. No
traffic up the track but many cars parked including Amphibian & Reptile
Conservation. Many volunteers out rescuing and also finding dead smooth snakes,
toads, lizards and other reptiles but the team were nowhere in my sight. flock of white doves was
released and there was a huge
Managed to walk up to Woolsbarrow Hill Fort without any one intercepting me. international adult choir and
The area was blackened and charred and looked desolate. Continued up until I orchestra to accompany the
came to a water bowser on the top and the wind was starting to whip up the ash activities.
and I realised I ought to get away from this place.
Something made me head over towards where the fire went and eventually I
reached the southern and most Easterly point possibly. Difficult to tell really.
Made my way home and there was still no one about to advise me against being Jake sang, holding a large wooden
there. dove and was placed next to the
dome (see picture – he’s in there
That afternoon the wind got up again to 40mph and when I went to check out somewhere…), Louise sang and
Hyde Heath where the original fire started there were several blazes going on with processed with her dove (see picture
the firemen hosing down the ground and beating with the rubber beaters. – she was seen in the BBC TV
coverage) and Sam sang a solo (see
Then a big smoke cloud appeared over the trees over on Woolsbarrow side which
I reported as I wasn’t sure if anyone had seen it. They had another major fire there picture – he made it onto the front
the rest of the afternoon and brought in a helicopter from S Wales to assist. This has page of “The Times”).

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