Today in Blackley Forest the children of Bowker Vale Primary School planted trees to commemorate the people of Blackley who fought in both World War 1 and World War 2 and those who continue to serve in the Armed Forces. The children from year 6 had written poems to remember those who lost their lives and those who suffered as a result of War.
The ceremony was attended by World War 2 veterans, a local councilor, local residents, Friends of Blackley Forest, teachers and children from Bowker Vale School as well as representatives from the Archives+ team and the English Heritage Schools project.
The morning started with an introduction by Daisy Horsley from English Heritage who organized the event and worked with the school. The school project was to look into the history of Blackley Forest which they were able to do using material provided from the Archives+ collections. You can learn more about the project here.
The children read their remembrance poems and buglers from the local Scouts played the Last Post as we observed the traditional silence at 11am. A wreath was also laid in memory of Marine Jonathan Crook who died in active service in Afghanistan in 2010 by one of his fellow Marines. A eulogy was given by one of the Royal British Legion members and a commemorative bench was unveiled by the local councilor.
Two children with help from the park rangers then planted the two trees as a symbol of remembrance, one for all the people of Blackley affected by war, and one for Marine Crook.
The inscription on the bench read:
“In memory of the people of Blackley who have suffered as a result of war.”
From the children of Bowker Vale Primary School
November 2013
