Pupils from at least 14 Farnham schools read their own poems and laid wreaths at the Gostrey Meadow war memorial on 6 November. School representatives planted crosses.

Pupils from at least 14 Farnham schools and colleges gathered at the war memorial in Gostrey Meadow on Friday 6 November for the town’s annual Schools’ Remembrance Service. Children from five primary and infant schools read poems they had written for the occasion. Representatives from each school laid tributes and planted remembrance crosses.

Farnham Town Council published its account of the service on Armistice Day. It was organised with the Farnham Schools’ Confederation.

What happened at the memorial

The Mayor of Farnham, Councillor Graham White, opened the service. The council’s account says it then included:

  • readings by representatives of the Royal British Legion and the Deputy Lieutenant, Brigadier Roger Hood
  • older pupils from Weydon School and Farnham Heath End School joining Brigadier Hood in remembering the fallen
  • the two-minute silence, with the Last Post and Reveille played by Steve Burgess
  • poems written by children from All Saints Infant School in Tilford, Potters Gate Primary, South Farnham Primary, St Mary’s Infant School and Rowledge Primary
  • wreaths laid by the Deputy Lieutenant, the Royal British Legion, the Mayor and Gregory Stafford, the MP for Farnham and Bordon
  • a wreath from pupils of The Abbey School on behalf of the Farnham Schools’ Confederation

The Reverend Sandy Clarke led closing prayers. Veterans, uniformed personnel and members of the public also attended, and the public were invited to pay their own respects.

The Mayor said it was “wonderful to see so many young people from Farnham’s schools coming together to take part in this important act of remembrance”. He added: “Remembrance is about ensuring that the experiences and sacrifices of previous generations are never forgotten.”

The schools that took part

The town council lists these schools as represented at the service:

  • All Saints Infant School, Tilford
  • Potters Gate Primary School
  • South Farnham Primary School
  • Rowledge Primary School
  • Badshot Lea Infant School
  • William Cobbett Primary School
  • Highfield South Farnham School
  • The Abbey School
  • The Ridgeway School
  • St Polycarp’s Primary School
  • St Mary’s Infant School, Frensham
  • St Peter’s Primary School
  • St Andrew’s Infant School
  • Farnham College

Weydon School and Farnham Heath End School also took part through their older pupils’ readings, though the council’s list of schools does not name them.

What it means for you

The Schools’ Remembrance Service is held every year in the days before Remembrance Sunday, and members of the public can attend. The town’s own Remembrance Sunday parade and service were held two days later, on 8 November. Remembrance Sunday 2027 falls on 14 November.

If your child’s school took part and you have photographs you are happy for us to publish, the newsdesk would be glad to hear from you.