Message of kindness shared at Schools’ Remembrance service, held in Newark, involving Barnby Road Academy, Holy Trinity Catholic Academy, The King’s Church of England Primary Academy, Lovers Lane Primary School, Mount C of E Primary Academy, Sir Donald Bailey Academy, and Christ Church C of E School in Middlebeck

Young people in Newark have come together in a special ceremony aimed at sharing the message of Remembrance to the next generation.

Organised jointly between Newark Town Council and the Newark branch of the Royal British Legion, the annual School Remembrance service, held on Tuesday (November 4), was attended by around a hundred children from seven different town primary schools.

Classes from Barnby Road Academy, Holy Trinity Catholic Academy, The King’s Church of England Primary Academy, Lovers Lane Primary School, Mount C of E Primary Academy, Sir Donald Bailey Academy, and Christ Church C of E School in Middlebeck, all gathered at Newark Town Hall.

Chris Gangel, of the Royal British Legion, led the children in a parade through the Market Place, and down to the War Memorial at Newark Parish Church where pupils laid wreaths on behalf of each school, and the Last Post was played.

They then proceeded to Hope Methodist Church, on Barnbygate, where Rev. Danny Marshall led prayers and spoke of the meaning of Remembrance during a special service.

Hymns were sung, prayers were said, and a handful of pupils made readings and shared poems.

The Mayor of Newark, Barbara Corrigan, ended the ceremony with an address in which she reminded the children of the power of kindness, sharing that “peace starts with all of us.”

Following the service, she said: “For me it was really important that the children understood that Remembrance is for everyone.

“It can be difficult to imagine wars and how they start — but I wanted to impart what we can do to stop them.

“We all have the power of kindness, tolerance and understanding. Even though we may all be different, we are all valuable, and we can all help one another.

“It was really nice to see the children actively engaging — particularly the ones who made wreaths and clearly put a lot of effort into it.

“Continuity is so important to Remembrance so that the younger generations do not forget the message behind it. The schools are clearly teaching that message of peace.

“It’s not just about wearing a poppy, it’s about what the poppy represents.”

Newark’s official Remembrance Day commemorations will be held this Sunday, November 9.

What does Remembrance mean to you? Let us know at newsviews@newarkadvertiser.co.uk