Junior school children from the nearby Dixie Grammar School have joined the Springbourne Homes team to take part in a poignant Remembrance Day ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the World War One Memorial at our Hornsey Rise development, near Market Bosworth.
More than 30 children from Year 5 attended the event at the newly-refurbished Memorial, which was originally erected in 1921 to honour 380 members of the NATSOPA printers’ union who were killed during the 1914-18 conflict.
Springbourne chairman Adrian Burr hosted the Remembrance Day ceremony but it was the young nine and ten year olds who were the centre piece as they combined their WW1 classroom studies with a visit to a local landmark heralding the sacrifice of so many.
Emma Billington, Head of Dixie’s Junior School and Nursery, said: “We were delighted to attend the centenary of this WW1 Memorial, which is just a short walk from our school.
“It really was an excellent opportunity for our Year 5 pupils to experience a Remembrance Day ceremony and to make the link between their study books and a tangible piece of World War One history right here on our door step.”
Dixie’s Head Boy George Miller and Head Girl Savannah Bentley-Showell laid a wreath, as did the Springbourne Homes chairman and local parish councillor Diana Whitley.
Springbourne boss Burr added: “It was so rewarding to welcome the children to the ceremony and see them learning about some local history.
“I was able to tell them the story of the Memorial itself, how it was first erected in 1921 in the grounds of the NATSOPA Care Home in Wellsborough, but was then left forgotten and neglected after the home closed down in 2012.
“I told them that, when Springbourne acquired the site, I found the Memorial all overgrown, damaged and desecrated by thieves who’d stolen the brass plaque.
“I vowed then to restore it and launched a nationwide search to uncover its history, all of which was explained to the children and it really resonated with them and those key Remembrance phrases – “Lest We Forget” and “We Will Remember Them.
“By restoring the Memorial we’ve ensured the 380 NATSOPA members have not been forgotten and will hopefully be remembered for at least another 100 years.”
Parish councillor Diana read the famous ‘For The Fallen” poem, by Laurence Binyon, ahead of a one minute’s silence, which was observed at 11am.
Springbourne staff also attended the moving ceremony, which was held in the newly created Peace Garden, a tree-lined, landscaped design, which runs alongside the company’s multi-award winning Hornsey Rise development in Wellsborough.
Springbourne Homes
Market Bosworth Marina, Carlton Rd,
Market Bosworth, CV13 6PG
Office: 01455 292900
Office: sales@springbournehomes.co.uk
Sales:
sales@springbournehomes.co.uk