Broad Street Star : Ian Lavender

Ian Lavender humbly receives the Broad Street Star by the Lord Mayor Major Roy Hassall, a former service man and then had a humorous interview with local comedian Jasper Carrot. He took Ian on a journey down memory lane and entertained the audience. Birmingham born Lavender is well known for the character he played Private Pike in the television drama Dads Army when he joined the cast in 1968. The event was also the launch for the city’s Walk of Heroes exhibition that shows 40 huge poster boards of local and national war heroes past and present who have been honoured for their selfless courage and bravery. There was footage of film form the series Dads Army shown on a large screen to the children and other spectators present.

Poems such as Sunset Vigil written by Sgt Andy Mc Farlane from the Territorial Army were read, he wrote the emotive poem when he had heard that eight of his comrades had died in twenty four hours. Major Haskell gave praise to those service men and women such as Lance Corporal Abbie Martin who tendered to six wounded causalities in a grenade blast and also put herself at risk when she ran in crossfire to a wounded Guardsman until they were extracted to safety.

It was a heart-warming and proud day celebrating and remembering the brave and strong individuals who serve their country.

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