Crawley remembers the fallen

Crowds gathered in Tilgate Park on Sunday (November 11) to remember the fallen and commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War.
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People attended an afternoon of live music, performances and tributes co-ordinated by Crawley Borough Council.

A spokesman said: “Visitors also had the chance to view the beautiful poppy display in the Walled Garden Maze, which was coordinated by the Friends of Tilgate Park, and amazing mural on the café wall created by local artist Colin Tickner.

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“Hosted at The Barn, The Spinettes got everyone in the mood with music from the 1940s and 1950s, following a short, powerful performance by The Hawth Youth Theatre.

Crawley Mayor Carlos Castro lights the Beacon at Tilgate Park, Crawley (Photo by Jon Rigby)Crawley Mayor Carlos Castro lights the Beacon at Tilgate Park, Crawley (Photo by Jon Rigby)
Crawley Mayor Carlos Castro lights the Beacon at Tilgate Park, Crawley (Photo by Jon Rigby)

“From 6pm, the Surrey and Sussex Drum and Bugle Corps led a beautiful lantern parade down to the main car park for the beacon lighting.”

A crowd of about 300 people heard speeches from the Mayor of Crawley, Councillor Carlos Castro, and Alan Tait, Deputy Lieutenant of West Sussex before the bugles sounded The Last Post.

At 7pm, the Mayor joined hundreds of towns and villages across the country in lighting the beacon – a tribute signifying the light of peace that emerged from the darkness of four years of war.

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The Hawth Youth Theatre closed the atmospheric event with a specially-written poem called Cry for Peace Around the World.

Councillor Brenda Smith, Cabinet member for Community Engagement, said: “I was filled with pride to see so many Crawley residents come together to remember the end of the Great War and the sacrifice made by the men and women from our community – it was a very fitting tribute.”

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