We will remember them

Remembrance Sunday is the Sunday nearest to 11th November. It was orignally inaugurated to remember those who died in World War I, which formally ended on 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. Despite this war being proclaimed as: ‘the war to end all wars’, unfortunaltey it wasn’t. Today we also remember those who have also died in more recent coflicts from World War II onwards.

From the beginning poppies have been the symbol of remembrance taken from the poppies growing in Flanders where several WWI battles were fought. Traditionally poppies are red, the normal natural colour of poppies and a symbol of the blood thet was shed. More recently, other colours are someties worn: Black commemorates the contributions of black, African and Caribbean communities to the war effort – as servicemen and servicewomen, and as civilians, Purple is often worn to remember animals that have been the victims of war, White poppies are sometimes worn by people who feel that the red poppy glorifies war. The white poppy is stll intended to commemorate those who have died in conflict but challenges us all to focus on avoiding was and achieving peace.

At all Saints, each year we create a display outside the church building, as you can see in the picture below and invtte anyone and everyone to add a poppy of any colour and of any constructon. Some are bought, some are knitted, some are made of paper and others of out of plastic bottles.