At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 2018, it will be exactly 100 years since the treaty known as ‘The Armistice of Compiègne’ came into effect, ending the four long years of the First World War, and bringing peace with Germany. The death toll had reached an estimated 11 million troops from all the countries of Europe as well as from other countries around the world.

Many from Redbourn had been called up and yet only some returned. This was the same for every village and town up and down the land. The centenary on 11 November – Remembrance Sunday – gives us the opportunity to remember them and, given the extra significance this year, we’d like to mark this in a number of special ways:

On Saturday 10 November we will be showing two films in the Transept, one using archive material, stories and photos from across Hertfordshire to give an insight into the sacrifice made during the First World War by local people, the other the film of RC Sherriff’s classic and powerful play Journey’s End. Admission is free – come to either or both.

On Sunday 11 November, we replace our usual 9.30 am service with a special Service of Remembrance to which members of the public, our uniformed groups, veteran service personnel and our local Councillors are warmly welcome. From there we will parade up to the War Memorial for the Act of Remembrance.

For those who need transport from the church to the War Memorial this will be available.

The Act of Remembrance will include the lighting of a special beacon which will burn for the rest of the day, and will be followed be refreshments and a special exhibition. The details of the schedule are as follows:

Saturday 10th November

St Mary’s Transept, 6.30 – 7.20 pm:  Film: A County at War directed by Howard Guard

7.30 – 9.15 pm:  Film: Journey’s End  directed by Saul Dibb

Sunday 11th November

St Mary’s Church, 9.30 – 10.30 am:  Civic Service of Remembrance – All welcome

St Mary’s Church, 10.30 – 10.50 am: Parade to the War Memorial

War Memorial, 10.50 – 11.15 am:  Act of Commemoration, Two Minute Silence and the Lighting of the Beacon

Fish Street, 11.15 am – 12 noon:  Refreshments at ChristChurch, Fish Street

Parish Centre, 11.15 am – 4.30 pm:  Exhibition ‘Redbourn and the First World War’  by Gareth Hughes

We hope that you will come to as many of these events during the course of the weekend as we remember the fallen and give thanks for the sacrifices made so many for our liberty.

Will