Commemorative wreaths. Pic: Lauren Cathy Turner
This Sunday, November 11, is a day to commemorate all those members of the armed forces who have died in the line of duty. The Queen will be leading the national memorial at the Cenotaph in Whitehall where detachments from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force will assemble. As Big Ben strikes 11:00, two minutes’ silence will be observed across the country.
Eastlondonlines found out what is happening across our boroughs for those who want to get out and show their support.
Croydon
A service will take place at Fairfield Hall, Park Lane at 10:55 am. Attendees must be seated 10 minutes beforehand.
After the service, there will be a wreath-laying ceremony at the cenotaph on Katharine Street led by the Mayor of Croydon, Councillor Eddy Arram.
Councillor Arram said: “This is a very important and emotional time of year when we pause to reflect on the brave efforts and sacrifices of our service men and women who have served their country.
“We hope the people of Croydon can make a special effort to remember them at this Sunday’s service.”
Representatives of organisations including the Royal British Legion, Dunkirk Veterans Association, Territorial Army and the emergency will be in attendance.
Hackney
With the London Jazz Festival opening this weekend, the Hackney Empire theatre will host a special show, Liberation and Remembrance on Sunday at 7:30 pm.
The line-up includes three of the UK’s most exciting trumpet-players, Byron Wallen, Shanti Paul Jayasinha and Kevin Robinson, as well as internationally-fêted saxophonists Tony Kofi, Chris Biscoe and Louise Elliott. The Grand Youth Union Orchestra joins them on the line-up, in addition to international performers.
According to the Hackney Empire website: “Liberation and Remembrance celebrates the extraordinary wealth of music flourishing in London’s East End today.”
Tickets start at £12 (concessions £6) and are available by calling the Box Office on 020 8985 2424.
Lewisham
The council has said: “94 years on from the signing of the Armistice, Lewisham Council will pay homage to those who died during the two world wars, including a tribute to the hundreds of Lewisham men and women who gave their lives in the service of their country.”
There are two public events organised this year in Lewisham.
Reverend Heston Groenewald from St. John’s Church, Lewisham Way, will preside over a service at the nearby Deptford Borough War Memorial, beginning at 10:55 am. A two-minute silence will be held at 11 am. The ceremony will be attended by a number of local councillors, as well as Deptford branch members of the Royal British Legion.
A much larger second service will take place by the war memorial on Lewisham High Street, opposite the hospital. Father Malcolm Hancock, chaplain of Lewisham NHS Trust, will conduct the service from 10:55 am.
A marching band from the 1475 Squadron ATC will lead troops to and from the war memorial. The Deputy Mayor and Deputy Lieutenant will inspect the troops at the end of the service, which will also include a two-minute silence at 11am. The Sedgehill School Band will provide music at the cenotaph.
