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Norfolk churches and media create Remembrance Fields

Three landmark Norfolk churches have teamed up with the Royal British Legion and local papers the Eastern Daily Press and Norwich Evening News to launch a campaign to honour all those who fought and fell in the First World War.

Now, to mark 100 years since the end of the First World War and to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice Norwich Anglican Cathedral, King’s Lynn Minster and Great Yarmouth Minster have helped to launch the Fields of Remembrance campaign.

Each church will set aside a space to create a field of remembrance and help create a poignant Norfolk-wide memorial to those who fought and fell in the war.

The campaign is calling on people to pay their respects by purchasing and placing a wooden-backed poppy at one the three locations hosting a field or by setting aside an area in their own town or village as a visual symbol across the county.

The two daily papers have pledged to give coverage and support to any individual, group or organisation doing something to honour those who sacrificed so much so our freedom could remain.

David Powles, editor of the EDP and Evening News, said: “We are launching the campaign to honour those who fought during the First World War 100 years ago.

“It’s so important that we pay tribute and honour those who fought for the freedom that we all enjoy today, those who gave their lives and sacrificed so much so that we could have freedom.”

The Very Rev Jane Hedges, Dean of Norwich Cathedral, which is dedicating a space in the Cloister Garth to a field of remembrance, said: “Four years ago, as I arrived in Norwich, we were commemorating the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War. Now we reach another incredibly important moment in our history.

“In Norfolk alone, more than 15,000 soldiers’ lives were lost in that terrible conflict which was supposed to be the war to end all wars.”

Adding how the cathedral was hosting a number of special events in the run up to Armistice Day she said: “We will remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and we will give thanks for their courage and fortitude.”

The Rev Simon Ward, of Great Yarmouth Minster, said: “We see the church as the centre of the community. It’s there for everyone and the whole community. I think we need the past to remind and inform us and we would be foolish if we forgot to follow that. It’s 100 years since the war to end all wars.

“It’s absolutely vital to remember those who gave their lives and those whose lives were never the same because of what they had been through.”

The Rev Canon Christopher Ivory, of King’s Lynn Minster, said: “I want to support the idea of the field of remembrance because I think it is very important to remember the huge cost of war in terms of human lives and suffering.”

Where to buy a poppy

The wooden-backed poppies will be available to purchase from all the locations hosting a field of remembrance, the Royal British Legion shop in Castle Mall from Saturday, October 27 and from the EDP offices in Norwich and Great Yarmouth. The recommended donation per cross is £1.50.

Crosses can be placed at the fields of remembrance from Sunday, October 28, when there will be a short ceremony at midday at Norwich Cathedral’s field.

Pictured top is Dean of Norwich the Very Rev Jane Hedges with EDP and Norwich Evening News editor David Powles. Pictures courtesy of EDP.

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