The minutes of the meeting held on 6 January 2014 were confirmed. 

Councillor B Coleman stated that he had spoken to the Farmers on Martham Parish Council and that they were happy to plant poppies in the fields and also Martham Parish Council was happy to plant them on the village green. 


Terry Burns stated that he was still talking to his contacts about getting a Chieftain tank for Great Yarmouth.  The group discussed this and agreed that as this type of tank was from the second world war it would be better if an armoured car or a field gun were sought as these were used in the first world war.  The Civic Events officer asked if a model could be sought and placed underneath the flag pole outside the front of the Town Hall.
 

The Civic Events Officer reported on the following:-

(a) A Civic Service would be held on 3rd August 2014 at 11.00am.

(b) A Candlelit Vigil would be held on 4th August 2014  at 10.30pm at St Nicholas Minster.  It was also suggested that the town centre lights be switched off prior to people leaving the church.

(c) A festival of remembrance would be held on 8th November 2014 at 5pm at St Georges Theatre where there would be poems, readings and music along with the Winterton Marine Cadets being involved.  Four standards would be required and the Royal British Legion agreed to arrange this.  Photo's of Great Yarmouth would be displayed and it was hoped that poppies could come down from the ceiling and it was suggested that it could be a school project to make the poppies.  Tickets would be £10 each with the profits going to the Salvation Army and the Royal British Legion.  It was reported that the band would require a donation. 

(d) Remembrance Day would be held on 9th November 2014 and the Royal British Legion spoke of a letter recently printed in the Mercury with regards to dignitaries standing on the cenotaph in the park and how they felt that they should all be on the same level.  The working party discussed this and agreed that they needed to be on the cenotaph as this was higher and the public could then see them and it was therefore agreed not to reply to the letter and for the service to continue using the same format as previously.
          

The Working Party considered the time line and agreed that key events over the next four years would be marked such as Laying a wreath on 19 January to mark the first Zeppelin air raid on the country when Great Yarmouth was bombed or playing baseball with American troops on 4 July.

 

(a) Great Yarmouth Minster Preservation Trust / (c) Great Yarmouth Archeological Society 

Dr Paul Davis reported that a display would be held in the Minster in conjunction with the Archeological Society.

(b) Norfolk Museums

It was reported that funding had been secured until 2015 to fund work on a conscientious objectors pilot for the summer and a travelling exhibition to be created  along with poetry sessions based on peoples experiences.

 

It was reported that Margaret Gooch had found out that only a nuclear submarine was available and that it would not be practical to secure a visit to Great Yarmouth as a nuclear evacuation plan would need to be in place prior to their visit. Also a Military Air Craft fly by may be unlikely due to the cost.

A £5,000 budget had been given to Great Yarmouth Borough Council for civic events.

Poppies were now on sale in B&Q with half the profits going to the Royal British Legion.  It was suggested that the borough could allocate an area in the town that residents could have the seeds planted and that this should be discussed with GYB Services, Sue Hacon and Parish Councils.  The Museum Service agreed to talk to local schools about this.

It was agreed that the next meeting would be held on Monday 12 May 2014 at 10.00 am.