THIS was the impressive sight when a Festival of Remembrance was held at Chipping Norton in November 1961.

The standards of 30 British Legion branches were on parade at the Regent Cinema to remember the county’s war dead.

The Oxford Mail reported: “The festival, the second of its kind to be held in Chipping Norton, provided a wonderful spectacle heightened by the 30 standards from Legion branches.

“After an opening selection by Chipping Norton Silver Band, a fanfare from the band’s cornet section heralded the arrival of the mayor, Mr SDH Major, and other guests.

“Opening the festival, the mayor paid tribute to the producer, Mr WH Hutchinson, who had been working to organise it since June.

“After the entry of the standards, the story of the Legion standards was told by Dr NJP Hewlings.

“There followed a concert by members of the Burford Chamber Orchestra and Patricia Jeffery, contralto.“ In a vote of thanks to those who had taken part, Mr EH Robinson, chairman of the Legion’s Chipping Norton branch, said the festival had two main purposes.

It was a solemn act of remembrance for those who had given their lives and an opportunity to help liven the hours of those still suffering from war wounds.

He said: “We no longer see the pathetic and disgraceful sight of ex-servicemen selling matches on street corners, but we still need money to help those affected by two world wars.“ Representatives of the three armed forces, the auxiliary forces and youth services then marched from the back of the cinema to the stage.

There was a special round of applause for Chelsea Pensioner Sgt J Keats.

The festival ended with a service conducted by the vicar of Chipping Norton, the Rev R Jeans, the Methodist minister, the Rev KW May, and the Baptist minister, the Rev F Wilkinson.

Organisers hoped that the festival would boost their Poppy Day total above the record £319 collected in 1959.