The Friends of Broomfield Park’s annual service of remembrance for those who died in the two world wars and subsequent conflicts was held in the Garden of Remembrance in Broomfield Park on Friday, November 11. It was led by Rev. Chrichton Limbert, vicar of Christ Church, Southgate and was attended by Christine Hamilton, Deputy Mayor of Enfield, David Burrowes, MP for Southgate, Doug Taylor, Leader of the Council, Terry Neville, Leader of the Opposition, local councillors, representatives of the Southgate branch of the British Legion and over 150 local people.
Lora Chenova from Bowes School and Alex Elliot from Broomfield school read out well known poems from World War 1. Another pupil from Broomfield school, Elena Stoian, read out a poem that she had specially written for Remembrance Day. Chris Kaufman from the Friends read out a more recent poem written by an ex-soldier after a visit to the war graves in Flanders. Tony Elliott of the Friends and Fred Burton from Hazelwood School read an extract from Laurence Binyon’s poem “The Fallen”.
After the two minutes silence at 11.00am and the sounding of the Last Post by the bugler, Brian Rose, wreaths were laid at the cairn in front of the war memorial. The wreath laying was led by the Deputy Mayor of Enfield, followed by our Southgate MP, the British Legion, the Friends of Broomfield Park and pupils from the local schools.
The service ended with a medley of songs from WW I expertly sung by year 6 pupils from Hazelwood school led and accompanied by their music teacher, Cathy Halpern.
The contribution of the pupils from all the local schools was greatly appreciated by all those present.
After the service visitors were able to sample the 'wartime' cakes available in the Greenery café in the park and sit outside on a beautiful sunny morning.