Pocklington School Newsletter Michaelmas Term 2018 | Page 5

Remembrance
Orchard for
those who fell
Acts of Remembrance
A small Remembrance Orchard has been
planted in the Headmaster’s Garden to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the end
of World War One.
Four pupils with family members in the Armed
Forces helped Headmaster Mark Ronan
dedicate six apple trees from varieties popular
in 1918, as part of the School’s Armistice Day
Commemorations.
The ceremony, which was also attended by
Standard bearers and members of staff, heard
that the trees, two cookers, two eaters and two
cider varieties, will stand for those who fell in
the conflict.
They also heard the following reading: “The
trees' annual cycle of regeneration and recovery
reminds us of the mourning, memorial and
moving on of war. Let us hope these apple
trees, planted today, will be a memorial, but
also a symbol of the light of regenerating life
over the many seasons to come.”
The 100th anniversary of Armistice Day was
marked throughout the School with a series of
events and activities which paid tribute to the
soldiers, including Old Pocklingtonians, who
died in battle.
at the front when the gunfire stopped, and to
people who observe the silence today.
Prep and Senior School pupils and staff
contributed poppies to a Tree of Remembrance
in the School Library, with the details of fallen
soldiers from their own families or soldiers
whose histories they had researched. A Remembrance Sunday Boarders’ service at
the School Chapel was followed by the
Chaplain’s rededication of the Memorial Cricket
Pavilion, erected to honour OPs who died in the
two World Wars. OP President Trevor Loten laid
a wreath on behalf of the OP Association and
the Last Post and Reveille were played by
former parent Michael Cooper.
The Prep School’s Act of Remembrance heard
the names of former pupils who died in action
before a minute’s silence was observed. The
Senior School Remembrance service reflected
on the significance of silence, both for soldiers The Boarders inspected an original 1913 WW1
Thorneycroft truck renovated by OP John
Marshall (64-70) which then led Pocklington’s
town Remembrance Parade, followed by the
School’s Combined Cadet Force.
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