Ride for Respect
Ride for Respect, Lee Rigby Memorial, 19th May 2024
Sunday 19th May was a lovely late Spring morning and we were delighted to host the Ride for Respect at the Garrison Church. This is an annual event to commemorate the death of Fusilier Lee Rigby who was murdered very close to the Church and whose name is the last on the Memorial in the Church to local men who died in the Armed Services or as result of terrorist activity since the end of World War 2.
Julia Stevenson determined within a few days of Lee’s death to organise an annual Ride Past by the biker community on the Sunday closest to the date of his death. The largest chapter within that community is made up of ex-Service people. More than 1,000 bikes of all shapes and sizes rode past the Church with flags flying and horns sounding. 2 standard bearers stood at the entrance to the Church with flags aloft as the procession passed by.
A good crowd (about 100 people) came into the Church for a photograph on the Chancel steps, a laying of a wreath by Julia at the memorial, the observation of the 2 minutes silence and the reading of the Kohima Epitaph.
The bikers could not have been more grateful and respectful and we were delighted to welcome them with tea and refreshments (served from our brand new kitchen!).