Schools across Wessex Learning Trust pause to Remember

Today, on Remembrance Day, Wessex Learning Trust schools along with the local community paused to remember the service and sacrifice of all those that have defended our freedoms and protected our way of life.

Earlier this morning Reverend Ruth Motion led a Remembrance Wreath Laying Ceremony for the Wessex Learning Trust, with children from each of the seventeen schools laying a wreath at the Memorial Cross on the grounds of Kings Academy in Cheddar. The Trust was delighted to welcome members of the Royal British Legion, The Lions Club and The Rotary Club to come together to remember.

Gavin Ball, Chief Executive at Wessex Learning Trust read the poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ written during the First World War by Canadian physician Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae. After the ceremony he said:

‘Many people across our community and the Trust will have known of those who served in the World Wars, but this year our young people have further understood the devastating effects of war as thousands of Ukrainian families fled to the UK. I’m hugely proud of our staff and young people who have welcomed Ukrainian children into our schools and embraced them into our communities. Sadly, the devastation of war continues across the world, which has made this Remembrance Day even more poignant but by taking this time as a community to come together to pause and reflect, we will remember them.’

Remembrance Day was observed by a two-minute silence at 11am, with a student from Kings Academy who played the bugle to perform The Rouse to mark the silence. Harry North from the Royal British Legion raised the flag from half-mast to masthead.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.