In the 100th Anniversary year of the Battle of the Somme, Pershore residents turned out to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of freedom. On Sunday a Commemorative Evensong Service was held at Pershore Abbey attended by the Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire, Lt. Col. Patrick Holcroft LVO, OBE and the Mayor of Pershore, Robert Gillmor.

The Service was conducted by Revd. Claire Lording assisted by Dr Orion Edgar & Dr Christine Dodd. During the Service Pershore & District Branch President Lt. Col. Susan Payne TD, BSc & Mrs Maggie Brown, Pershore & District Women’s Section Vice Chairman read lessons while the exhortation & Kohima Epitaph was delivered by Mr Simon Dudfield, Chairman Pershore & District Branch, Royal British Legion. The Royal British Legion Branch Standards of Pershore, Beckford & Ashton under Hill, Pershore Women’s & Redditch Women’s Sections and Pershore & District Branch Royal Naval Association were paraded.

Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire and Mr Harold Wilson (Legion d’honneur recipient) laid wreaths at the War Memorial in the Abbey.

After the Service a buffet was served at Pershore Working Men’s & Old Comrade’s Club.