Children and young people from Farnham’s schools took part in a special remembrance service at Gostrey Meadow on 11 November. The service was led by the Mayor of Farnham, Councillor Alan Earwaker, along with representatives from the Farnham branch of the Royal British Legion, veterans and local dignitaries. Pupils from 15 schools participated in the service. 

The Mayor says: “It is important to today’s young people that they have the opportunity to pay tribute to our armed forces in a dedicated service for schools. The service was all the more meaningful because it fell on Armistice Day itself and some of our local veterans were able to join us. It included poems written for the occasion, a two minutes’ silence and the laying of wreaths. The children and veterans also planted crosses in honour of the fallen.”

The event was jointly organised by Farnham Schools’ Federation and Farnham Town Council. Joining the Mayor and Royal British Legion were Colonel (retired) Patrick Crowley MBE DL, Mrs Jane Crowley, His Honour Christopher Critchlow DL High Sheriff of Surrey, Reverend Sandy Clark, and representatives of uniformed services and cadet forces. 

Together they formed a parade from South Street to the war memorial at Gostrey Meadow where it met the gathering of schoolchildren. After a welcome from the Mayor, Debbie Hunter from the Farnham branch of the Royal British Legion read the poem, Why do we wear a poppy? 

The head boys and girls of Weydon School and Farnham Heath End School joined the Deputy Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Patrick Crowley in reading For the fallen, the Remembrance Day poem featuring the familiar lines: “They shall grow not old as we who are left grow old.” 

The service included a two minutes’ silence at 11am and the playing of the Last Post and Reveille by Steve Burgess of Alder Valley Brass. Alex Herd of the Farnham Royal British Legion read the Kohima Epitaph, a poem associated with World War II fighting in Myanmar but originally from World War I. 

Children from All Hallows, South Farnham, Highfield South Farnham, Potters Gate Infants and St Polycarp’s schools read poems they had written for the occasion. Other participating schools included Badshot Lea Infants, St Andrew’s Infants, St Mary’s Infants, the Abbey, the Ridgeway, St Peter’s, Folly Hill Infants and All Saints Infants. 

The Reverend Sandy Clark from St Thomas on the Bourne led the congregation in prayers before the service concluded.