Poppies In Abundance As Services Take Place Across Guildford To Remember War Dead

Published on: 10 Nov, 2014
Updated on: 10 Nov, 2014

Services have been taking place across Guildford this weekend to remember our war dead – with poppies in abundance this year, no doubt inspired by the incredible display at the Tower of London that has caught everyone’s imagination.

The Revd Rod Pierce leads the service in Charlotteville on Saturday afternoon.

On Satuday afternoon at Charlotteville a service of remembrance took place at the war memorial in Addison Road, led by the Revd Rod Pierce of Holy Trinity Church. The trumpeter was Seb Skelly, a music student at the University of Surrey.

Trumpeter Seb Skelly (far left).

Val and Nigel Crompton laid a wreath in memory of Val’s grandfather Frederick Newman, and the nephew of Ronald Durbridge, also attended. Ronald was killed in the Second World War.

Wreaths are laid at the war memorial in Addison Road, Charlotteville.

Julie Howarth read a ‘reflection’ that focussed on the first two local men killed in the first months of the First World War.

People gather in the High Street to see the march to the Castle Grounds. Picture by Sheila Atkinson.

On Sunday morning a service was held at Holy Trinity Church attended by Guildford MP Anne Milton, the mayor David Elms, other dignitaries, borough councillors, council officers, aldermen, members and retired members of the armed forces and cadets.

For the first time members of the Women’s Royal Army Corps Association took part, and a special place on the bowling green in the Castle Grounds was reserved for veterans to stand to watch the wreath laying.

Waiting for the march to begin. Picture by Anna Valentina.

With the High Street lined with people, those who attended the service at Holy Trinity then marched to the Castle Grounds for the annual wreath laying, where many others also gathered.

Some of the veterans who took part. Picture by Sheila Atkinson.

Lined up and ready. Picture by Anna Valentina.

A wooden cross to remember a fallen serviceman. Picture Anna Valentina.

Carys Bailey, aged 9, places a card she had drawn at the war memorial. Picture Anna Valentina.

Music at the Castle Grounds was provided by the Friary (Guildford) Band. Picture by Sheila Atkinson.

Cadets taking part in this morning’s service in Guildford town centre. Picture by Anna Valentina.

Wooden crosses placed in a flower bed in the Castle Grounds. Picture by Sheila Atkinson.

Members of the Stoughton & Westborough branch of the Royal British Legion joined worshipers at St Francis’ Church in Westborough, along with members of Westborough United Reformed Church, for St Francis’ annual service of remembrance.

Members of the Stoughton & Westborough branch of the Royal British Legion and their guests march down Beckingham Road to St Francis’ Church.

The church looked impressive with more than 4,000 poppies hung from the curved wall at the back the altar.

The display of 4,000 poppies behind the altar in St Francis’ Church.

From left: Angela Snape of the Stoughton & Westborough branch of the RBL who organised the display of poppies; special guest Captain Jason Murdock of the Army School of Physical Training, based at Aldershot; and the team rector of the parish of Westborough, the Revd Stefanie Hodges.

Also included here is a photograph of more poppies, these being a display made by pupils at Guildford Grove School in Park Barn – a project co-ordinated by the school’s garden club leader, Liz Curtis.

Display of poppies at Guildford Grove School in Park Barn.

Share This Post