Brought on by King George V on November 11th 1919 the first 2 minute silence was held commemorating those who fought and died in the first world war and following conflicts. 102 years later we still pause to remember them as well as holding services, parades and many other ways.

 

In 2014 local resident Alice Hooker came up with a unique way of helping to celebrate the centenary of the beginning of the first world war, in which many of her relatives died. After discussing it with her close friend, she knitted poppies to place around Reigate; however over the years she expanded to Merstham and Redhill. 2018 meant a lot to Alice, it was the death of Edwin Woodman, her husband's grandfather and a past resident of Reigate. Edwin had lived in Reigate until he moved to serve in France and The Holy Land (now Israel) and died in the March of 1918. To keep his memory alive she knitted an outstanding total of 1000 poppies to put in places where she knew he had been, including the house he was born in, the house he lived in with his wife and children and finally nearby towns. 

 

 

“Each poppy takes about half an hour to knit or crochet. I've lost count of how much yarn I've used but it must be a few kilos by now,” Alice told me in a brief interview. “I started in 2014 and will continue as long as i can, they are for our lost ones of a previous generation and for the brave men and women who still lose their lives protecting this country and the commonwealth.” 

 

Alice isn't the only one helping locals remember, on Thursday the 11th The Redhill Belfry celebrated 100 years of the Royal British Legion and held their annual remembrance service with a two minute silence and a 40,000 poppy petal drop followed by readings. From this  they managed to raise an incredible £18k for the Royal British Legion. 

 

It's not too late to get involved in the celebrations, the Redhill Corps of Drums & Band will be playing music in a parade leaving the Horley Town Centre to the Memorial Gardens which usually attracts over 700 people. A few other services you can attend on Sunday 14th include: 

 

Epsom Concert- Epsom Playhouse at 3pm.

Guilford Service- Holy Trinity Church at 9:45am.

Dorking Memorial- St Martins Church at 10am.

Camberley Parade- Camberley Town Centre and along the A3 at 3pm.

Chiddingfold Service- St Marys Church at 8am and 10am.

Cranleigh Service and Parade- St Nicholas’ Church at 9:45am. 

 

These and many other parades will be great to attend and a fantastic opportunity to pay your respects and get involved in local ceremonies. 

 

We remember all those who are fighting today and those who have fought including Edwin Woodman.