YOUNGSTERS and staff at Badsey First School marked 100 years since the Peace Day celebrations of 1919 with a tea party and entertainment for older members of the community.
Many events were held in November 2018 to mark the centenary of the end of hostilities in the Great War. But the war was not at an end.
Although the guns fell silent on November 11, peace was not officially proclaimed until June 1919 when the Treaty of Versailles was signed. To mark the final end of the war, July 19, 1919 was designated a public holiday and Peace celebrations took place throughout the land.
In Badsey on Peace Day 1919, the bells rang out both morning and afternoon with a thanksgiving service in St James’ Church.
In the afternoon, decorated bicycles and prams arrived and were judged. The intention had been to have a procession through the village but, due to incessant rain, this was aborted.
A century on from the celebrations, pupils organised a tea party for members of the community aged 70 and above.
Headteacher Jon Moss, said: “I’m delighted so many older members of our local community were able to join us to remember an historic event which happened a hundred years ago and I would like to thank The Badsey Society for providing the impetus for the occasion.”
An exhibition in the school hall, which included details of the 22 pupils and one teacher who lost their lives in the war, was organised by the Society.
With money left over from the Peace Day festivities in 1919, Peace Mugs were bought to give to the children.
In 2019, each pupil was given a copy of Peace, War and Remembrance: The Great War in Badsey, Aldington & Wickhamford, published last year by The Badsey Society.
