The Edwinstowe Royal British Legion, together with the community group formed to run a village remembrance project, saw the conclusion of an important objective during April. The Legion started with a plan to commemorate the centenary year of remembrance back in August of 2017. They sent two of their representatives to the Grand Pilgrimage in the summer of 2018, where the battlefields of The Somme, Passchendaele and Ypres were all visited, and respects were shown to the many thousands of men and women who gave their lives during the period 1914 to 1918. This four-day event concluded with a large parade to the Menin Gate, where the Edwinstowe wreath was laid, along with over 1,000 others.
Beyond this formal remembrance event, the people of Edwinstowe quickly got behind a proposal to leave a more enduring token of remembrance in the village. It was agreed that they would raise funds to place a granite memorial stone to commemorate the sacrifice made by over 30 of our local men, who’s names are shown on the white granite memorial cross at the Edwinstowe garden of remembrance. With the support of several groups, including the Thoresby Football Club, the Golf Society, the Edwinstowe Co-op, the Forterra company and many more, the group quickly realised the funds and support necessary to make this objective a reality. They wish to give their special thanks to their friends at the Hammer and Wedge, who have accommodated various fundraising events over the past year.
On 16th March, despite the prevailing bad weather and the threat of strong wind and rain, the new memorial was unveiled by the chair of Newark and Sherwood District Council, Councillor Keith Walker. Also, present was the chair of Nottinghamshire County Council, Councillor Sue Saddington, together with supporting officers of both major councils. Also in attendance, was the County Representative from the Nottinghamshire RBL. The Reverend Ian Webb, vicar of Clipstone, Edwinstowe and Perlethorpe, gave the blessing prayer and the exhortation from the Laurence Binyon poem. Fortunately, the weather improved for the actual unveiling and several dozen members of the community witnessed the new memorial, showing its presence at the front of the remembrance garden. The Legion were very well supported by the village-based Scouts, Guides, Brownies and other youth groups who, as always, attend remembrance events in the full colour of their uniforms and with enthusiasm to join in — thank you to you all.
During the next few weeks and months, the Legion hope that you will take the opportunity of visiting the garden and viewing the new memorial.
And finally, can they thank, once again the many groups and people in our community who gave freely of their time and money to ensure this project came to a successful outcome.