A funeral cortege left her home in Ditchling, East Sussex, and paused in the village at mid-day, allowing residents to pay their last respects while two 'Second World War' planes (a Spitfire and a Hurricane) flew past. The service then moved on to a private service at the crematorium in Brighton, where servicemen and women lined the route. A full memorial service will be held at a later date in the year.
There are too many incidents and occasions that I could recall when Dame Vera helped me in my charitable work between 1990 and 2005. One that I will not forget is when she read one of my children's books about a Jewish evacuee during the London Blitz to the children's school in Ditchling. The book was called 'Robin and the Rubicelle Fusiliers'. In celebration of her visit and public reading, I personally ensured that every pupil in the school received their own free copy of the book.
In honour of Dame Vera, her face was projected onto the 'White Cliffs of Dover' ahead of her funeral service today. Goodbye, my friend, and allow me to sing you out with one of your songs which was recorded by your good self in the year of my birth, 1942. One day, we shall meet again.
Love and peace Bill xxx