When crossing the Green, do you sometimes look up to see which of our two customary flags are flying from St Michael’s Church tower?
Like most churches, we usually fly the Cross of St. George with the Union Flag flying on national occasions. But on 17 September, for some years we have flown an unusual flag to commemorate the British, American and Polish soldiers who lost their lives in Operation Market Garden toward the end of the Second World War.
Some sixty years after the actual battle, Cecil Newton and some of his surviving comrades were presented with the flag we will be flying. Apparently, the design of the flag represents a bridge to the future and a hope for European reconciliation and peace.
We are proud that Cecil and several other veterans, who fought selflessly on our behalf, still live among us.
Marianne Adey
Jo Hutchings - Aldbourne Archive 