Fourth Annual Festival of Remembrance Held at The Orwell

  • Poppy
 

More than 80 people came together at Craegmoor’s The Orwell service in Wherstead, Ipswich on Wednesday 19th November to celebrate the lives of people lost at war at their fourth annual Remembrance Festival.

November 2009

This year’s festival was an emotional and moving affair, with a guest list including The Mayor and Mayoress of Ipswich, David and Sue Goldsmith, the Chairperson of Babergh District Council, Jenny Jenkins and the County Manager of the Royal British Legion. Also attending was Major G.Pocock and Sergeant Naylor representing the Anglian Regiment and Air Cadets from the 863 Thurston Squadron, as well as residents, families and friends.

Craegmoor – who support older people and people living with learning disabilities, autism, complex needs and mental illnesses – assisted residents and staff in organising the evening of activities following the suggestion of a resident who was keen to attend an event similar to that held at The Royal Albert Hall.

Entertainment was provided by Charlotte Griffin who sang Amazing Grace, two young dancers from Miss Linford’s School of Dance, who choreographed a piece especially for the occasion, the 36th Ipswich Scout Group and ‘Summoned by Bells’ - a trio of hand bell ringers. Bag pipes and drums also featured in proceedings, with Maria King providing musical accompaniment throughout.

The more formal part of the festival was led by Canon Jim following the parade of the standards, marshalled by Frank Starsmeare of the Royal British Legion. Josh McIurre, the cousin of Aaron Mclurre – a young local solider killed whilst serving in Afghanistan in 2007 - laid the poppy wreath whilst the ballerinas coordinated a fluttering descent of poppies.

Sarah Kopferschmitt, The Orwell’s Manager, said:

“ Craegmoor always encourages people to get involved in local community life and organise events that have real meaning for them. We were all very keen to celebrate the lives of people who we have lost – both at war and in everyday life – and this was an amazing way to do it and a fitting tribute.

“The people who we support really got involved in organising this year’s event – contributing ideas, choosing the hymns and writing poems – and it was wonderful to see their pleasure and enjoyment as well as their expressions of emotion linked to memories of war and loved ones. We are now looking forward to next year and making the next event even bigger. ”

Notes for Editors

For further information please contact the Craegmoor Press Office on: 01905 459 813

  • Craegmoor is one of the leading independent providers of specialist support in the UK with a turnover of approximately £170m and employs over 6,500 people.
  • It has a portfolio comprising specialist and nursing residential support, mental health hospitals, specialist adult colleges and supported living schemes with over 4,700 beds across 234 homes.
  • The wide range of services offered by Craegmoor include: Specialist support for adults with learning disabilities and mental illnesses, Nursing and residential support for older people and Independent Hospitals
  • Craegmoor has 2,229 Specialist beds including 143 beds in three colleges.
  • Craegmoor has currently 2,242 Older People beds and 237 beds in the company’s Independent Hospitals.
  • Working closely with local authorities, Primary Care Trusts and NHS Trusts, Craegmoor is committed to building partnerships focused on constant service improvements which meet the needs of individual people and which are in line with regulatory requirements and best practice.