Driffield in Bloom Invites Children to Honor Veterans at Annual Remembrance Service

Children and young people from across Driffield & the Wolds are invited to attend the annual Driffield in Bloom (DiB) Children’s Remembrance Service which will take place this weekend.

The family service, held at Driffield Cemetery on Bridlington Road, will take place on Sunday 5th November at 10.30am.

Believed to be the only children’s remembrance service in the country, children are invited to place a poppy cross on the graves of war veterans as a mark of respect to the servicemen buried in the cemetery.

The service, which was the brainchild of DiB member Shirley Franklin more than 20 years ago, will be led by lay preacher Pete Rogers and bugler Luke Gledhill will play The Last Post. Piper Mark Jamieson will play the bagpipes at the service.

Denise Dunnington, chair of DiB, said it is a lovely service and important that young people remember the sacrifices that were made to safeguard the country’s freedom.

“Driffield Cemetery has over 100 war graves of British and Commonwealth service personnel and we think it is important that young people learn about, understand and remember the sacrifices made to keep our country safe,” explained Denise.

“Each service person’s grave will be marked with a red ribbon and following the service children will be invited to place a poppy cross as a mark of respect and remembrance.

“We believe that this is the only remembrance service in the country tailored specifically for children and very much want to keep up the tradition of honouring the fallen in this way.

“We have sent invitations to local groups inviting children to the service and we will have children as young as those attending Rainbows and Beavers through to Cadets who are in their teens attending.
“The service is open to all, and we are hoping for a good turnout, and everyone is most welcome.”

Meanwhile, DiB is continuing with its work to refurbish the hayracks in the town centre. It is hoped that small trees will be planted in the area outside Boots the Chemist, where two trees were once situated and another tree further along the footpath towards the B&M carpark entrance.

Denise added: “We think it is important for the environment and for people’s wellbeing that there are more trees in the town and look forward to having them in place shortly.”