Almost 90 students who are studying on UPS courses, with aspirations of taking up careers in the Army, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, the police force and fire service, welcomed VIP guests and staff to the college’s sports hall for the annual Remembrance Day service on Friday (11 November).
Supported by UPS staff, some of whom are ex-military, the parade saw an honour guard march led by Fiona Goodwin. This was followed by readings delivered by students which included In Flanders Field by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae.
Joining the parade was Captain Joe Wightman, Warrant Officer Class 2 Hancock and Corporal Blant from the Royal Yeoman Regiment.
Attendees were able to see the witness students carrying out specific drill movements which they had researched since their arrival at the college in September 2022. These individuals were made up of Level 1, 2 and 3 students and were led by their tutor – Wayne Hall, Ex-Regimental Sergeant Major Royal Engineers.
Principal and chief executive Andrew Cropley laid a poppy wreath on the ceremonial table to honour of fallen members of the military, veterans and current serving men and women. He addressed staff, students and VIP guests, who included MP for Mansfield Ben Bradley, Councillor Stuart Richardson, the portfolio holder for regeneration and growth from Mansfield District Council, and Councillor Jason Zadrozny, leader of Ashfield District Council.
The Reveille and Last Post was played by Salvation Army bugler Keith Lawson and was followed by two minutes’ silence.
Guests were able to speak to students, staff, including staff members from across the college who are military veterans, after the service as well as purchase poppies which UPS students have been selling across the college as well as in local supermarkets such as Tesco.
Programme area leader for UPS, Derek Dawkins, said: “I am extremely proud of the UPS students. They have worked exceptionally hard to ensure this performance was ‘top notch’ and it was a pleasure to see so many parents and extended family members at this event. We look forward to continuing this tradition at the college because we must ensure the ‘fallen’ are never forgotten.”
Principal and chief executive Andrew Cropley said: “Once again our UPS curriculum performed with the utmost professionalism and decorum at this important parade where we remember and pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our freedoms and way of life. I was incredibly proud to see our students parade so very well under the excellent leadership of their teaching team.
“This is the second formal parade for Armistice Day which this team has organised and yet again, we witnessed an impeccable formal drill together with well-delivered readings, which all provided an air of dignity and respect for our guests.”