Scouts from across Milton Keynes came together this Remembrance Sunday at various parades to remember fallen Heroes and find out about the importance of this solemn occasion. They were encouraged to question and listen and have a wide open mind.
Scouts took part in Remembrance events at Bletchley, Newport Pagnell, Wolverton, Simpson, Stony Stratford and Olney that involved young people from 4 to 25 years of age and the volunteers that support them. Numerous parades were made possible with close collaboration with the Royal British Legion and other organisations.
Bletchley Scouts prepared for Remembrance Sunday by making one wooden cross for every soldier named on St Mary’s Church roll of honour for WW1 and WW2. These were then placed at the memorial by all group members next to the wreaths laid during the service.
Leo age 11 said “It was good to be able to represent young people remembering those who have died for us in previous wars.”
Pat and Ashley Pankhurst, both volunteers in Milton Keynes, have been part of the Olney parade for the last 25 years. They started with a service in the Parish Church and then walked round to the Market Place for an Act of Remembrance.
1st Newton Longville (St Faith’s) Scouts spent yesterday afternoon cleaning up the area around our village memorial in preparation for today’s parade.
It is hugely important for Scouts to participate in Remembrance events and ask the big questions. In Scouting, Remembrance means different things to different people, it might be visiting a monument at home or abroad, meeting Veterans or selling poppies.
This Armistice Day, the mayoral cadets attended their first group event alongside the Mayor, Cllr. James Lancaster. Eliott (17), Gabriel (15), and Ben (15) joined the Mayor at the Rose for the annual Remembrance Service.
The cadets met in Milton Keynes Theatre, where they had the opportunity to talk to the Lord Lieutenant, Lady Countess Howe. They then joined the parade, and, accompanied by charity organisers, military personnel and other councillors, they made their way to the Rose.
The service was very poignant, with a choir performing songs in between the silence and readings.
Many who attended the service laid a wreath, and the centre of the Rose very quickly became a strikingly beautiful memorial of those who have fought.
‘I feel very privileged to have been able to join the mayor this year- I’ve never been to the service at the Rose before, so getting to experience it alongside my fellow cadets was memorable. The whole event was very respectful, and honoured those who lost their lives to conflict in the best way. We’re all very proud to have represented Milton Keynes Scouting at this event.’ says Eliott.
A number of King’s Scouts will also be helping at the national Remembrance Service in London forming the Guard of Honour outside the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Whatever the activity the reason is the same, to come together and remember the past while learning the lessons for the future.
Young people across Milton Keynes and the surrounding villages and towns develop skills for life at regular unit meetings on weekday evenings. If you would like to join the adventure, visit www.mkscouts.org
