Aldenham Remembers

Aldenham School was well represented at the Remembrance Sunday service on the green in Letchmore Heath which was led by The Revd Robert Fletcher Vicar of Aldenham Church. The Headmasters from both Aldenham School and Edge Grove, Mr James Fowler and Mr Ben Evans, contributed with a reading, whilst our School Chaplain, The Revd Jos Perris, led the prayers alongside representatives from the Bhaktivedanta Manor and the local Jewish Synagogue. The music was led by the Aldenham School Brass Band conducted by Mr John Rayfield, Assistant Director of Music. On a fine Sunday morning the cadets from Aldenham and Queens’ School CCF looked splendid as they paraded alongside a lone piper.

Among the many wreaths that were laid was one from a parent who had lost her stepson in Afghanistan, the recipient of a VC medal. In previous years, the central focus of the service has been Brian Hyde Senior and his personal memories of some of those who died from the village and from the surrounding villages. Sadly he died earlier this year. His son Brian Hyde Junior continued the family tradition and named all those who had died in both wars.

We held our own Remembrance Day Service in school on Monday to honour and remember all those who had died, especially remembering the 288 OAs who had lost their lives in both World Wars. Everyone arrived walking through a tunnel of flags representing the 50 or so different countries from around the world that our pupils and staff have affiliations with. Aldenham CCF were on parade which effectively set the scene beautifully for the service that followed.

The flags were placed on the Altar, some from waring countries were placed next to each other. Our Junior Head Boy and Head Girl, Leo Goldschmied and Hannah Cushion did the Bible reading beautifully, followed by Mrs Ann Saffery who read a poem that had been written by OA Jim Cockburn (SHE 1957-61) entitled ‘Train of Peace’. Revd Philip Green then preached about the importance of Gratitude and Peace reminding us that it starts with us. The names of the dead from 1918-1919 and 1939-1940 were read out and wreaths laid. The whole school declared its commitment to peace as the CCF led everyone out to the tolling of the School bells to represent the members of the OA community who had died.

It was a very powerful service reminding us of the importance of remembering those who have died in wars and the importance for us all to be committed to peace.