Wartime Theme In Castle Grounds To Mark Start Of Summer Season

Published on: 8 Jun, 2014
Updated on: 8 Jun, 2014

There was a wartime theme in the Castle Grounds on Saturday (June 7) that marked the unveiling of this year’s carpet bedding and the launch of Guildford in Bloom and the summer festival.

Mayor David Elms cuts the ribbon.

This year’s carpet bedding again features two displays and both are inspired by the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War.

Under heavy skies and rain showers, the ribbon cutting ceremony took placed led by the Mayor of Guildford, David Elms.

A good crowd gathered inside the entrance to the Castle Grounds for the ceremony at which Cllr Elms said: “This is a special event. It means the town in open, the town is beautiful, and it is the start of summer.”

Shirley West, Cllr Jennifer Powell, Mayor David Elms, MP Anne Milton and Jill Bird.

Joining him for the cutting of the ribbon were Anne Milton MP, Cllr Jennifer Wicks, and Shirley West and Jill Bird from the Castle Green Bowling Club, who were dressed in the uniforms of First Word War Red Cross nurses.

Shirley and he fellow members of the bowling club played a big part in the event. Their clubhouse was turned into an impromptu NAFFI, where refreshments were on sale along with a photographic display of First World War postcards and images of the Castle Grounds of 100 years ago. The images are part of Shirley’s collection.

David Rose and Matthew Alexander give their talk about the town’s war memorial in the Castle Grounds. Picture by Sheila Atkinson.

The war memorial in the Castle Grounds. Picture by Sheila Atkinson.

At the bandstand there was live music and a drama sketch by ‘Laurel and Hardy’. Local historian David Rose was joined by the former curate of Guildford Museum, Matthew Alexander, and they gave a talk about the town’s war memorial, how it came about and stories of some of those who are commemorated on it.

The war memorial has recently had some renovation work done to it, including the adding of a new name and a correction to the regiment of another soldier. Further story on this to follow here.

Above and below: carpet bedding commemorating the 100th anniversary of the First World War.

There were also stalls surrounding the bandstand including one manned by the British Heart Foundation and another raising funds for injured servicemen.

The Guildford Fringe Festival 2014 provided the PA system and helped to keep things running smoothly while also promoting its events this summer.

Also check out Guildford Tourism Information centre’s Facebook page.