Over the weekend, services were held to mark Remembrance Day and honour those that had lost their lives in war. Schools took part in these services, with many holding their own, so that students could pay their respects.
Rydal Penrhos
On Sunday, staff and pupils from Rydal Penrhos gathered near the war memorial in Queen’s Gardens and a small service was conducted, before a parade moved on to St Paul’s Church. Dignitaries at the service included Clwyd West MP David Jones, Cllr John Davies, mayor of Colwyn Bay and veterans from the region. The school were one of many establishments that laid a poppy wreath at the town’s cenotaph to honour the fallen.
Acting head Roger McDuff, said: “It was a very moving and poignant service and it was lovely to see the school so well represented. It was also nice to see so many staff members there as part of different organisations, highlighting the good work that they are doing in the community.”
Duke of York’s Military School
At Duke of York’s Military School, students and staff paid tribute at Remembrance events in London, Dover and across the Channel in Belgium to service personnel who lost their lives in conflict.
Executive Principal and Commandant Chris Russell and students and staff from the school took part in the Torch Lighting Ceremony of the British Torch of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey’s Tomb of the Unknown Warrior last week. Back in Kent, cadets from the school provided a Guard of Honour, buglers and drummers for a Service of Remembrance at Dover Marine Railway Station (now the cruise terminal) in support of the British Torch of Remembrance and railway company Southeastern, as the torch continued its journey to Ostend and Flanders. Over in Belgium, the British Torch of Remembrance UK branch, which is now run by the school, met the Belgian branch of the Torch of Remembrance, visiting the Menin Gate, Flanders Fields and the Kings Day Parade in Brussels. Remembrance is a poignant time for the school because of its strong military ethos and popularity with parents serving in the Armed Forces.
Chris Russell, who is also Chairman of the British Torch of Remembrance, said: “Many of our pupils have parents serving in the Armed Forces so Remembrance Day has particular meaning and significance to them. We are honoured that the school was chosen to take part in memorial events at Westminster Abbey and in Flanders.”
Reigate Grammar School
At Reigate Grammar School, pupils joined local people at Shaw’s Corner, Redhill, to commemorate Armistice Day.
Abbey Gate College
At Abbey Gate College they paid tribute to Remembrance Day by holding a special concert to raise money for charity. The concert took place at Chester Cathedral on the evening of Remembrance Day and the chapel choir, concert band, syncopators, saightonians and soloists performed to an audience of 130 in aid of the Catherdral’s twin Parish of Nkotakota, Melawi. The concert raised more than £1,000 for the charity.
Head of Music, Stewart Smith, said: “The concert was a huge success and it made the event even more poignant for those taking part to be held on such an important date. The pupils all performed at their best and the school is thrilled that so much money was raised for a truly worthy cause.”
