Newham stood silent this weekend as remembrance services took place across the borough to commemorate those who have lost their lives serving their country.
The Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz, stood alongside residents and members of the armed services at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (QEOP), while councillors attended memorial events across the borough and laid poppy wreaths.
Services also marked the 100-year anniversary of the Armistice, the agreement which ended the First World War.
Remembrance events included a Cenotaph parade, in East Ham, memorial services at All Saints West Ham Parish Church, East London Cemetery, St Luke’s Memorial in Canning Town, St Mark’s Memorial in Silvertown, and the dramatic Shrouds of the Somme art installation, at QEOP.
Crowds gathered to take in the Shrouds of the Somme art installation at QEOP, created by Rob Heard, which depicted more than 72,000 people killed in the Battle of the Somme in the First World War. The shrouds were hand-stitched and laid shoulder to shoulder in hundreds of rows on the park’s South Lawn to create a haunting work of art. Newham Council Chief Executive Katherine Kerswell attended alongside Newham’s mayor and listened to the sermon delivered by Rev Canon Dr Flora Winfield.
Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz said: “The moving ceremony gave me a chance to honour the fallen and express my gratitude to those serving in the forces today.
Services also marked the 100-year anniversary of the Armistice, the agreement which ended the First World War.
Remembrance events included a Cenotaph parade, in East Ham, memorial services at All Saints West Ham Parish Church, East London Cemetery, St Luke’s Memorial in Canning Town, St Mark’s Memorial in Silvertown, and the dramatic Shrouds of the Somme art installation, at QEOP.
Crowds gathered to take in the Shrouds of the Somme art installation at QEOP, created by Rob Heard, which depicted more than 72,000 people killed in the Battle of the Somme in the First World War. The shrouds were hand-stitched and laid shoulder to shoulder in hundreds of rows on the park’s South Lawn to create a haunting work of art. Newham Council Chief Executive Katherine Kerswell attended alongside Newham’s mayor and listened to the sermon delivered by Rev Canon Dr Flora Winfield.
Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz said: “The moving ceremony gave me a chance to honour the fallen and express my gratitude to those serving in the forces today.
“On the 100th anniversary of Armistice, the Shrouds of the Somme remembered those who died in the battle and throughout the First World War in this centenary year.
“We must not forget those who have made sacrifices for our community and I was proud to see so many Newham residents paying their respects.”
“We must not forget those who have made sacrifices for our community and I was proud to see so many Newham residents paying their respects.”
Newham councillors joined residents at the Royal British Legion parade to commemorate sacrifices made by members of the armed services in conflicts past and present. Deputy Mayor Councillor Charlene McLean and Councillor Terence Paul attended and laid wreaths at the war memorial in East Ham Central Park.
Children from six Newham schools, St Joachim’s, St Antony’s Primary, St Michael’s Primary, St Winefride’s Primary, St Bonaventure’s and St Angela’s Ursulin, gathered at the Cenotaph in Central Park, on Friday 9 November, for a service of remembrance. The occasion was marked by readings, songs and performances from schoolchildren. Councillor Julianne Marriott was in attendance and laid a wreath at the Cenotaph.