Image: Steve Maddox
arlesey
remembers
you
We were all deeply touched by the event and were inspired by the
tremendous community pride demonstrated by those in attendance.
Albert Mistrano – Principal Etonbury Academy
A Suitably Memorable Memorial Launching “Arlesey Remembers You”, a
community wide social enterprise project to place 87 poppy crosses on the
graves of Arlesey’s fallen from WW1
Sunday 27th April 2014, 15:00 found over 300 people packed into
Arlesey’s St Peter’s Church to witness, and enjoy, an afternoon of highly
relevant Readings, Poetry, Song, Precision Ceremony and an incredibly
poignant and moving Eulogy from Wing Commander Peter Marshall (RAF
Henlow) who recalled and traced the story of two of Arlesey’s fallen, Frank
Fowler and Frederick Bygrave. A well researched, passionately delivered
Eulogy taking us from Frank and Fredericks enlistment through to their
eventual falling during the battles in Gallipoli. Other moving performances
were some powerful hymns by the City Choir of Letchworth. The passion
of the event eased by a wondrous rendition of a world war one marching
song “Pack up your troubles in your Old Kit-Bag” sung by the 5 to 7 year
old’s from the Arlesey Rainbows.
Following the ceremonies, to the backdrop of 11 Flags from the Royal
British Legion, 11 poppy crosses were laid on the graves of 11 of the fallen
that are buried within Arlesey Church Yard. Each poppy placed with pride by
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relatives, invited guests, dignitaries and children from schools and societies
in the village.
All crosses laid, a lone bugler sounded the Last Post followed by a
perfectly observed minute’s silence, and the end of the memorial being
signalled by a very moving Reveille Bugle Call.
This marks the start of the “Arlesey Remembers You” community project,
76 more poppy crosses will be laid between now and Remembrance
Sunday, the whole project being captured in Still Photography and in Video,
for a Documentary to be shown later this year and a website to be used as
an ongoing interactive, growing memorial to our fallen.
As we go to press a further update:
On the 6th May, Chris Ferris whilst on business in Israel, took an early
morning train from Tel Aviv to Ramla to lay crosses on the graves of two of
Arlesey’s fallen. He then took a bus to Jerusalem to commemorate three
further soldiers
For more information go to: www.facebook.com/ArleseyRemembers
to advertise telephone: 01462 834265 or go to the website: www.onthebuttonarlesey.co.uk