YOUNGSTERS from schools across Pershore will be paying their respects to fallen soldiers during a special service at the town’s Commemorative Garden.
Pupils from Pershore High, Abbey Park Middle School, Abbey Park First School, Cherry Orchard First School and Holy Redeemer Primary School will all be taking part in the service on Armistice Day (Tuesday).
Following on from the success of last year’s inaugural event, this year’s event will kick off at 9.30am on Tuesday (November 11).
Last year saw more than 220 children at the garden but this year the numbers will increase to allow more children to take part from the younger schools.
The winning poem of the Pershore Poppy Appeal Poetry Competition will be once again read out by 15-year-old Bethany Ireland.
Runners up Holy Lloyd-Cowley and Chloe Guscott and another six entrants from the highly successful competition will be selected from Holy Redeemer and Abbey Park Middle School to read out their poems.
The pupils from the two First Schools will be reading their own work that they have been doing in school on the theme of the First World War and Remembrance.
Pete Challenger from Evesham Hospital Radio is kindly providing the PA equipment for the event so that everybody can hear the readings.
Veterans from the Royal Naval Association, Royal British Legion and Women’s Section, the Mayor and Mayoress of Pershore, Vice Chairman of Wychavon District Council, Coun Val Wood and other Civic Leaders will be in attendance.
Parents and members of the public are warmly welcomed and organiser Trudy Burge told the Observer: “Last year’s service was the first time we’ve done something on this scale with all the schools at one time and it was a resounding success.
“I think all the adults who attended, particularly the veterans, were deeply moved by the sincerity and utmost respect that these young children paid in honouring of all those from our town who served their country so bravely during the two World Wars and other conflicts.
“Hopefully this will stay with them throughout their lives and hopefully ensure that the traditional Remembrance Services will continue in this town long after we have all gone.
“I think the setting of the Commemorative Garden is a very poignant one because many children remember it being created three years ago and can identify with it.”
“It also means that anybody from the community may attend to support the children.” she added.
Veterans at the service will then make their way to Pershore Cemetery for 10.45am for the RBL’s Armistice Day Service that has been taking place up at the Cross of Sacrifice since 1945.
Ken Tallis from Pershore Royal British Legion watches on as the standards are lowered at last year’s inaugural event. Picture by Marcus Mingins 4613004MMR1 Order this picture at www.buyphotos247.com
Children from Pershore’s schools spoke during the service. 4613004MMR4
Trudy Burge from Pershore Royal Naval Association leads the service. 4613004MMR5
