Lest we
forget
This year
marks the 100th
anniversary of the ending of the first world war. The eleventh hour
of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. The first Armistice Day.
There’ll
be special events and ceremonies to mark the anniversary – I was
going to write ‘celebrate’ the anniversary – but it’s hardly
a celebration. A thanksgiving maybe. A thanksgiving for the ending of
that war. A thanksgiving for what was achieved, but at such terrible
cost. A reminder of the price paid. A calling to mind of the those
who died in that war, and in all the conflicts since then. All the
grief and pain that has resulted. A commemoration.
There will
be many special events right across the country, in small village
halls and huge concert venues, on pretty village greens and the wide
open spaces of old airfields. Small gatherings at local war memorials
and vast crowds at the Cenotaph in London. In Lincolnshire people
will gather at the International Bomber Command Centre and at the
Cathedral to listen to music, to stand in silence, to remember.
In
Potterhanworth there will be a Remembrance Service in church at
10.15am on Sunday 11th
November, followed by a ceremony at the village war memorial at
11.00am. You are all invited.
On the
Saturday evening before, we’re showing the film ‘War Horse’ in
church. It’s a moving story based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo,
and turned into a film by Steven Spielberg. You don’t need a
ticket. Hot drinks will be provided – bring your own popcorn!
Donations to the Royal British Legion.
And on the
Sunday evening, members of local choirs, including some from our own
Potterhanworth Community Choir, will be singing in a performance of
‘A People of Peace’ at 6.00pm in Branston Church. This
inspirational work is based on the life of Harry Patch, the last
survivor of the First World War, and combines music, readings, and
congregational singing – so everyone can join in.
Love Lorna
