Make A Date For Free Community Event In Stoughton To Commemorate 100th Anniversary Of The End Of The Great War

Published on: 18 Aug, 2018
Updated on: 28 Aug, 2018

Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War is a free community event being held on the green at Cardwells Keep, Stoughton on Saturday afternoon, September 15.

Following on from the successful Stoughton in the Great War event, held in September 2014, there will once again be historic displays of First World War militaria and associated items courtesy of Richard Graham, Jeremy Croucher and Kevin Smith.

Kevin Smith (left) will again be displaying First World War artefacts at the Stoughton at the end of the Great War event on Saturday, September 15.

There will also be displays by the Surrey History Centre about life on the battlefield and the home front and votes for women. A display focusing on Guildford during 1914-18 by the Guildford Institute. The Guildford Military War Hospital by The Spike, women at war by Carol Brown, display items and craft activities for children from Guildford Museum, and Witley Camp by Godalming Museum.

There will be period games and craft activities for children. These include a fun soldier trail with prizes, lucky bags, Guildford’s Playrangers with plenty of activities, a name the soldier bear game, and a Punch and Judy show.

Live music from the era will be played the Surrey Police Band, along with choirs from Stoughton Infant and Northmead Junior Schools, plus music from local indie rock band the Paperwaits.

Refreshments include tea, coffee, soft drinks and cakes, a barbecue by Smoke It, and an ice-crean van.

Richard Graham will be exhibiting with his display The British Tommy 1914-18.

Try a sample of trench cake courtesy of Emmanual Church Café, visit stands by the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal (raising funds on the day), Worplesdon Garden Club, British Heart Foundation, Care and Consideration with a Smile, Bluebird Care, and James and Thomas Funeral Directors.

During the afternoon there will be a short service of relection to remember those who gave their lives in wartime, led by the clergy of local churches.

The afternoon will start with a procession along Stoughton Road, to which everyone is invited to join in – especially children.

A procession led by the Mayor of Guildford with the Royal British Legion Old Basing Corps of Drums will leave at 11.50am from Stoughton Nursery and Infant School with the opening of the event at noon on the green. People wishing to join this should arrive at the school from 11.35am to collect flags to wave.

The event runs until 4.30pm.

Today’s Cardwells Keep is a housing estate (off Stoughton Road, GU2 9PD). It was formerly Stoughton Barracks, once the home of the Queen’s Regiment. During the Great War, many men from Guildford joined up here to serve King and country.

Once again the event is being organised by members of the community and is being supported by many others including residents, schools, churches, groups and organisations.

Stoughton Barracks pictured in the early 1900s. It was home to the Queen’s Regiment until 1959, but used by the military until 1983.

The main organisers are Guildford Borough Councillor Pauline Searle, former Stoughton police community support officer Sheila Willis, and local historian and writer David Rose.

David said: “More than 500 people attended the event in September 2014, and afterwards we said that if there was enough interest we would stage another in 2018.

“We have been working on the arrangements now for several months. What started this time as a simple afternoon to which people could come along, bring a picnic and listen to some music, has become another full-on free community event. We are very pleased so many people, groups and organisations who took part in 2014 are willing to take part again – with new ones joining in as well.

“Events like this do not happen without a great deal of planning and funding is required to. We are grateful for grants from Guildford Borough Council’s Project Aspire and Surrey County Council’s member’s allocation. And thanks go to James & Thomas Funeral Directors and Bluebird Care for donating prizes for children, and to Queen Elizabeth Park Care Home for providing refreshments.”

Please note: there is limited parking at the site for disabled badge holders only. Free parking five minutes away at Northmead Junior School, Grange Road GU2 9ZA.

The organisers have included a back-up plan if the weather is wet on the day. David added: “Should the weather be unkind we have the use of the whole of Emmanuel Church, its hall and rooms.”

Emmanuel is the parish church of Stoughton in Shepherds Lane, at the junction with Worplesdon Road, and very close to Cardwells Keep.

Further details about the event from Pauline Searle on 01483 825424. Email:pauline.searle@guildford.gov.uk