They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them.
On Armistice Day, Friday 11 November, the whole College gathered in the Skipwith Courtyard for a short Act of Remembrance, led by the College Chaplain, Revd Chris Briggs. With the beautiful poppy display cascading above the entrance to Skipwith House, and Year 10 pupil Elliot Jones playing The Last Post perfectly from Skipwith Tower, the College observed a two-minute silence. A moving moment, which was followed by a wreath being laid on the brass memorial to the Honourable Captain Anthony Phillimore in the Parish Church.
On Remembrance Sunday, parents, pupils and staff gathered in the Great Hall for our traditional Service of Remembrance. With the College Wind Ensemble playing Johann Heinrich Walch’s Beethoven Funeral March No.1, the service began with a welcome from Deputy Head Chapel Warden, Charlotte Garnett; and, during the singing of I Vow to Thee My Country, the College Banner and CCF Wreath was brought to the altar by representatives of the CCF. After the hymn, the College Wreath was brought in silence to the altar by Joint Head of College, Phoebe Kay.
As with many services, Revd Briggs began with The Bidding Prayer, before all rose to recite the Lord’s Prayer. This was followed by a reading of John 15:9-17, with Phoebe Kay reciting.
“As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.”
In An Act of Remembrance, everyone stood as Sub-Lieutenant Bayley CCF RN read the names of those recorded on the First and Second World War memorial boards in the Parish Church, together with others who have fallen in conflict whom we have been asked to remember by name today. With the Headmaster leading the congregation in Remembering, all observed a poignant two-minute silence in between the playing of The Last Post and the Reveille.
In the first of two singings, the Camerata sang For the Fallen by Douglas Guest CVO, with Mrs Rapple Moore conducting. Their second piece, The Benedictus, from The Armed Man, was beautifully sung and is still receiving praise from those who were present at the service.
Sunday’s address was given by The Revd (Wing Commander) Ashley Mitchell, who is the Senior Chaplain at RAF Halton. A touching talk, and yet humorous at times, Revd Mitchell spoke about heroes of WWI and WWII, which included Noor Inayat Khan, a radio operator for the resistance network during WWII; and Douglas Bader, an aircraft pilot who, despite not having any legs, was re-enlisted during WWII. Using the Heroes chocolates as an example, Revd Mitchell challenged everyone to be a hero.
The service concluded with the Headmaster leading the congregation in prayer:
Lord make us instruments of your peace,
Where there is hatred may we sow love
Where there is injury, pardon, where there is discord, unity,
Where there is doubt, faith; where there is error, truth,
Where there is despair, hope; where there is sadness, joy;
Where there is darkness, light.
For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen
The prayer was followed by the singing of the National Anthem, before a final Blessing given by the College Chaplain.
At the end of the service, the College Banner and CCF Wreath were carried out of the hall by a member of the CCF, followed by Phoebe Kay, who carried the College Wreath.
At noon, a group from the College gathered at Shiplake War Memorial along with other members of the Shiplake Community for a short Act of Remembrance. There, the College Wreath was laid by a CCF Cadet, joining the wreaths which represent the other communities in the village.
‘When you go home, tell them of us and say:
For your tomorrow we gave our today.’
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