The Service Booklet can be accessed by clicking HERE
Father David’s VE75 Homily is now available to read or to listen – click HERE
On the 15th October 2020, Fr David Wylie RN joined the Mayor and Mayoress of Southend to unveil a memorial to commemorate the brave men, women and children who served aboard HMS Leigh in WW2 on the 75th Anniversary of the Paying Off of Southend Pier.
Full details of the event can be found here
A message from Father David:
As we enter this stage of the lockdown period we are also entering a key commemoration in our national life: Victory in Europe 75. Let’s not allow this most significant event pass us by. Much of the commemoration will be on TV and online but have parties in your gardens put up some VE 75 signs in rainbow colours. More bunting Mrs Jones!!
Wear your red white and blue nik naks on your essential journeys and honour the past by engaging the present with cheerfulness and gusto in adversity. Our own great service of thanksgiving and commemoration of course should have been held on the pier and perhaps we will gather there this time next year.
Nevertheless we will be recording a special VE75 service in and around the town with many member of this parish assisting. It will be broadcast on Sunday 10th May at 1500 (log onto https://www.hmsleigh.org.uk/online-event ) and available thereafter. Do go on the HMS Leigh website and join in the local action!
In addition there is a music concert being broadcast on Friday 8th May from 2:00pm to 4:00pm organised by Sir David Amess and featuring local artists. It can be viewed at