A series of three evening talks about Sutton and the First World War have been scheduled at St Nicholas Church. These free talks will be headed off by author Andrew Arnold who will foucs on From Sutton to the Somme
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Year 9 students from Sutton High School travelled to France and Belgium to visit memorials and cemeteries commemorating those who fought and died in the First World War recently.
A student has written the following report: On Friday 6 May, 44 girls, 5 teachers and our amazing coach driver, Nick, left Sutton bright and early on our way to Belgium. We soon arrived at Dover and enjoyed a relaxing ferry trip to Calais. Girls were moved by the Commonwealth War Grave Cemetery and Memorial at Tyne Cot After lunch and a brief stop at our hotel, we visited Flanders Fields Museum in Ypres. At Tyne Cot Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery and Memorial, we were moved to see the names of young men from our school who fought in the war, before making our way to a German Cemetery, Langemark. Later on that evening, Abeeha, Mariam and I were honoured to participate in the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate, an experience we will never forget. On day 2, we travelled to France and started the day at Vimy, where we explored trenches and bunkers, and then made our way to Vimy memorial. We then went to Ulster Tower where we were lucky enough to have a guided tour around the trenches in Thiepval Wood. We finished the day by visiting the Thiepval Monument, where Lakshmi located the name of her relative, and then made our way back to Ypres. On our third and final day in Belgium we visited Sanctuary Wood and then went to Locknaggar Crater. We also travelled to Hill 62 and visited the Pool of Peace, where a few girls read some poetry from the First World War. Later on, we visited a chocolate shop in Ypres and enjoyed eating all of our sweets over lunch in the town. After lunch we went to our final destination of the trip, Bayernwald, where we got to walk around inside the German trenches. After an amazing three days in Belgium, we made our way back to Calais and departed for England. A group of diverse artists who go by the name Acid Drop Copse are coming together in an exhibition to commemorate the centenary of the Battle of the Somme at Honeywood in Carshalton, from 22 June until 31 July. The group’s disciplines range from sculpture, metal casting, encaustic art, oil painting, print making, ceramics, floristry and collage, through to contemporary jewellery and the practitioners are united by a desire to examine and reinterpret the events that began on 1 July 1916 in Picardy. One of the exhibitors, Ingrid Barber, says: ‘I wanted people to see the events through the light of contemporary artists’ eyes, perhaps putting things into a new perspective and bring out elements of the Great War that have not always been considered, or to re-examine the traditional images of the Somme. By revealing stories of local people affected by these catastrophic events and responding to the scars caused by war, different artists coming from diverse disciplines will help make a highly unusual and challenging show.’ Other practitioners contributing to the exhibition are: Jeremy Clark, Rob Miller, Mehan Fernando, Reza Bagheri, Michael Isaac, Karen Block, Charlotte Potter, Lauren Adams, Brandon Jackson and Helen Gray. Acid Drop Copse, Honeywood Museum, Carshalton, 22 June to 31 July, (Wednesday to Friday 11am-5pm, Sat, Sun 10-5). The show will transfer to the ArtMoorHouse Gallery in the City of London in November for Remembrance Day and will run for six weeks. Picture: Daniel Warner – Never to Return, by sculptor Jeremy Clark Nearly 50 residents from Sutton watched as a wreath was laid in memory of those from the borough who died in the First World War - at the nightly Menin Gate ceremony in Belgium on Saturday. The act of remembrance was part of the borough’s ongoing range of events to help to highlight the centenary of the First World World War. Organised by Carshalton author Andy Arnold who has written a book about those who feature on the Carshalton War Memorial chairman of the borough’s World War one co-ordinating group Lord Graham Tope was one of three who took part in the ceremony. The others were: Barbara Holes and Susan Wicks; both had relatives who were killed in WW1 and who are commemorated on Carshalton War Memorial. “It was a privilege to be part of this iconic ceremony, which has taken place at the same time in the same place for many decades,” said Lord Tope. “We three were representing all of the residents of Sutton brought together for a few minutes in this timeless act of remembrance allowing us to focus on those who lost their lives in campaigns around Ypres and in Belgium and came from the London Borough of Sutton. The Menin Gate memorial contains almost 54,0000 names of those who died in the constant fighting in and around Ypres and includes 42 names of Sutton people. The act of remembrance was just one of the locally focussed initiatives organised by Andy Arnold in the day others included visits to the graves of those from the borough who were interred in Commonwealth Ware Graves in the Ypres area. Photographs of each of these residents and details of their war service were explained at each graveside. For full details of all of the initiatives and events being arranged in the borough go to [email protected]. The Battle of the Somme was one of the largest battles of World War I, in which more than 1,000,000 men were wounded or killed, making it one of the bloodiest battles in human history.
A unique film showing this battle will be accompanied by a live performance from the Sutton Youth Symphony Orchestra who will perform a new score, especially created for the Battle of the Somme footage in a special free concert. "Due to the nature of the film, we recommend a minimum age of 12 yrs for anyone attending the event. Please note that this event is also being recorded and photographed. By attending, you are giving your permission to be filmed," said a spokesperson. “And these troops in the mud grinned or stared at us to a new music score by Laura Rossi, brilliantly effective” Geoff Brown, The Times. ***** Details WHEN Friday, 11 November 2016 from 19:00 to 21:00 (GMT) WHERE St Andrew's Church - Cheam, SM2 7HF, United Kingdom To book tickets go to SYMPHONY The ANZACs on the Western Front - In commemorating the centenary of the Great War, the important role of the ANZACs - servicemen from Australia and New Zealand - is sometimes overlooked.
Yet they had the greatest number of casualties per man of all the Allied armies, were furthest from home and away the longest. They were also the only volunteers. The ANZACs were famous throughout Europe for their hard fighting, their hard swearing and complete indifference to rules and regulations. In this illustrated talk on 25 April, ANZAC Day, Australian Tony Brett Young describes the substantial contribution made by the ANZACs on the Western Front from 1916 to the end of the war. Tony has visited all their main battlefields in France and Belgium, and followed their triumphs and disasters. For further information contact Tony Brett Young on 020 8652 7622 or [email protected] or to reserve a place for this event, please phone Sutton Life Centre Library on 020 8644 9696 or email [email protected] £5, or £4 for Friends members, including refreshments. 7.30 pm 25th April Sutton Life Centre Organised by the Friends of Sutton Life Centre Sutton Life Centre 24 Alcorn Close Sutton SM3 9PX This year marks the centenary of The Battle of the Somme, recognised as one of the bloodiest battles in human conflict with over 1 million casualties over a four month period. At the beginning of the War the British Army was a relatively small force and was increased rapidly by volunteers with often whole streets and villages seeing every available man enlist.
Today cycling is a wide ranging leisure activity but in 1914 times were very different. Throughout the UK there were 15 designated cycling battalions who were absorbed into the Army Cycling Corps. Many stayed in the UK as part of home defence while others, and their bikes, headed to France and the frontline. Less expensive than motorbikes and used by most people in ordinary day life, the cycle was an everyday reconnaissance and communication weapon in the fight against the enemy. Organisers of a remarkable new exhibition Remembering 1916 - Life on the Western Front are offering great discounts on ticket prices for those who come early.
Remembering 1916 is a new showcase which is being presented by Whitgift school to coincide with the centenary of the First World War. The WW1 Exhibition runs from Thursday March 10 - through to August 31 at the Whitgift Exhibition Centre, Haling Park, South Croydon CR23 6YT. There is to be an amazing 50% discount off all tickets until March 31st. Remembering 1916 - Life on the Western Front is a new showcase which is being presented by Whitgift school to coincide with the centenary of the First World War.
The WW1 Exhibition runs from Thursday March 10 - through to August 31 at the Whitgift Exhibition Centre, Haling Park, South Croydon CR23 6YT. The exhibition whill showcase an oustanding range of original artefacts, including rare items, photographs, letters, uniforms and memorabilia, many of which have never before been on public display. The Exhibition will explore the political and social background to key events in 1916, using the contemporary voices of British, French and German soldiers and their families. Details www.remembering1916.co.uk Whitgift Exhibition Centre Haling Park South Croydon CR2 6YT Sutton is to be the first council in London to partner with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) on a project which will help to commemorate the borough's war dead who lost their lives in World War One.
It is now launching Sutton's Living Memory project and is now looking for residents, organisation and companies to get involved in ensuring its success. If you would like to be involved in the Sutton's Living Memory project please register your interest by emailing [email protected] |
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July 2016
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