'Once in a lifetime opportunity' as excited residents take part in historic Portsmouth100 photograph
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People waved at the sky while they were cemented into the city’s history
Cheerful residents and personnel beaming with pride stood together to be a part of a historic picture.
Hundreds of people formed up on Southsea Common during the city’s Armed Forces Day on June 20. Assembled around the logo of Portsmouth100, people of all ages, serving personnel, and veterans, honoured the 100th anniversary of Portsmouth receiving the city status.
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Commodore Richard Powell, Deputy Lieutenant for Hampshire, was among them. He told The News: “It was terrific. It was an important moment in the anniversary, and it’ll be something we all remember for the rest of our lives.
“It was perfect and great to see all the great elements of Portsmouth coming together. The Royal Navy, other services, and the communities. It’s great to see all the different badges and uniforms, it was fantastic to see.”
“Once in a lifetime opportunity”
It was originally planned for an Airbus satellite to capture the mesmerising visuals, but cloudy weather conditions meant the public could not be seen. Portsmouth City Council organised for Solent Sky Services to take drone snaps of the public.
The public were seen gathering around the white painted Portsmouth100 logo, donning the crescent moon and star. Lord Mayor, Cllr Abdul Kadir, described being a part of it as a wonderful moment, and said it was an honour to stand alongside serving personnel and veterans.
He added: “It’s a feeling I don’t think I can explain. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity. We’d have to wait another 100 years to do the same thing.
“We’re here to support what they do for us, and it’s good to stand next to them and the veterans. They have given up so much for us. I’m glad and pleased to have been here.”
Adam Peters, a Royal Navy Commander who served in the force for 30 years, said the centenary of city status was something to be celebrated. The 73-year-old, of Southsea, said: “It was great to have the combined 100 years and Armed Forces Day together. It was a really good thing to do.
“It’s an enjoyable day out and lovely to see so many people. The weather hasn’t quite played the game, but we’ll forgive it.”
His partner Julie Price said: “It was great fun being in Portsmouth with everyone here. Portsmouth people are always great fun to be around. It marked a great day out for the forces and the families. It was all very positive and everyone was happy to be there.”
“It’ll go down in history”
Hundreds of people attended for Armed Forces Day, applauding the personnel and veterans as they paraded thorugh the common. Food vans, funfair rides, and stalls from various charitable causes were brimming with people. Martin Douglass is the engineering director for maritime and land defence solutions at BAE Systems, the company which sponsored the event.
The former Royal Navy Commander, who served for 27 years, was also involved in the historic picture. He said: “It’s good to be part of this city’s history.
“Sat with the veterans and cadets celebrating the century of the city was absolutely brilliant. Seeing so many people looking up at the sky, it’ll be good to see how that picture comes out. It’ll be a good representation of the city.”
The veteran was delighted at how sociable everyone was before the photographs. He added: “Everyone was very happy, chirpy, and chatting to each other. It was great to see that interaction. Veterans and serving personnel are part of the whole society, and linked to the city in its own right. It’s great to get everyone together.”
Demi Lawrence, of Southsea, couldn’t wait to get involved alongside her 17-month-old daughter Lola White. She said: “It’ll be brilliant and go down in history. It was amazing to be a part of it. I really wanted Lola to be in it. She’ll see that for years to come, and it was really cool to be involved in it.”
She was similarly delighted by the turnout for those support the military. “I think it’s brilliant and really important for us to remember what people went through so we can have the lives we have, and be as privileged as we are now,” she added. “It’s really important we show our support to the forces, not just veterans but those who serve now.”
Clair Bowker, of Southsea - whose partner Iain is a retired submariner who served for 25 years - said: “It’s important for the history of the city to have that marked as an occasion. It was a very good idea. I loved that one of the zeros was a crescent moon.
“I’ll be interested to see what it looks like. You have to take any chance to be involved in history. I got married at the castle and it was really evident that we were walking over steps that people could have done hundreds of years ago. It’ll be great to be part of something that people will look back on. We always come down to Armed Forces Day.”
The weather impacted other parts of the celebrations. A planned Spitfire flypast and parachute jump from the Royal Navy Parachute Display Team had to be postponed.
Kevin Brazier, of Milton, was still positive about the occasion, and said the picture and event brought everyone together. He added: “We’re lucky in Portsmouth, we have so many events and there’s so much we can do.
“It’s a brilliant way to celebrate 100 years of Portsmouth. We were wondering whether to wear the brightest clothes ever. It might be difficult to see us, but it would be great if we could. We’ve made history, fame at last. It’s crucial personnel and veterans are here. We’ve got to remember all the amazing things they do for us now, and have done in the past.”
Lucy Brazier added: “I would show it to all my friends and say ‘I was there’! It makes me feel proud to be part of the city’s community. These events just make you realise how special the city is. I hope the camera quality is at its best.”