​Marking Remembrance at Churcher's College

Remembrance is an important part of the Churcher's College calendar and this year it was marked with a series of events throughout the week.

On the evening of Wednesday 10 November, the School held its annual Remembrance Concert at St Peter’s Church, Petersfield with the Senior Orchestra, Junior Choir, SSA Choir, Barbershop and Senior Choir performing.

On Thursday 11 November Churcher’s College commemorated Armistice Day with a special morning service followed by a procession through the school’s war memorial whilst the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) of Army, Navy and RAF cadets stood in formation beside the memorial.

After the service, the banner party and wreath bearers lead the procession to the school’s war memorial, built to honour Old Churcherians who fought in the First and Second World Wars. Poppy wreaths were laid and saluted, including a new wreath this year which was donated on behalf of the Artists Rifles as several OCs have served in the regiment. All senior school pupils and CCF cadets followed behind the wreath bearers to walk the route through the memorial to remember those lost.

To commemorate the 11th hour or the 11th day, a platoon of CCF Cadets from Churcher’s College and The Petersfield School were honoured to be invited to parade at the marking of Armistice Day in Petersfield. The parade featured the dedication of the 100th year Pennant awarded to the Petersfield Branch of the Royal British Legion, acknowledgement of the 100th anniversary of the Petersfield War Memorial, the dedication of a stone thanking our Allies and the signing of the Armed Forces Covenant.

On Remembrance Sunday, Churcher’s College CCF and Senior Wind Band were honoured to be part of the Petersfield town centre Remembrance Parade and Service, held in the Square outside St Peter’s Church followed by a march to the town’s war memorial where wreaths were laid whilst the names of those who gave their lives were read out by a selection of senior Churcher’s CCF cadets. The service, which was particularly special this year as it was not held during the pandemic in 2020, was attended by many Petersfield residents wishing to pay their respects.

Captain of College Jonas Flohr laid the wreath for the School and Warrant Officer Mark Childs, the Contingent Senior Cadet, laid the wreath for the CCF. Mrs Annabelle Boyes MBE DL laid a wreath on behalf of the HM Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, accompanied by cadet Sgt Matthew Izehue, other wreath layers included The Mayor of Petersfield, Cllr Phil Shaw, and Damian Hinds MP.