A day of to reflect, to give thanks and to remember. The guiding and scout groups often support Hayes Free Church at church parades, however on Remembrance Sunday, everyone made an extra effort to come together for special service.

 

Before entering the church every year, one will hear “Don’t sit on the glass!” For outsiders, this may be an odd thing to say, but it serves as a reminder of the glass silhouettes that are dotted around the church to commemorate unnamed soldiers.

 

The Minister thanked the guides for putting together a hand-made display of crafted poppies where electric tealights were put out during the service. Two well-loved members of the church and guiding communities talked the congregation through their relative’s experiences in the war. They shared the affect such an event has on people mentally and they also showed photos and medals that have been passed down through their families. Other contributions included various members of scouts and guides following the union jack down the aisle. They also had the job of retrieving their flag for the two-minute silence, held at eleven o’clock.

 

Anyone in the guiding movement loves a badge and this year, Girlguiding collaborated with the Royal British Legion to create a remembrance badge that pays tribute to the 1941 cotton reel appeal. The RAF asked Girlguiding to collect 11,000 cotton reels; they ended up accumulating 42,000. People later learned that the reels were needed to send secret messages from MI9 to soldiers on the front lines.