On Monday 11 November, students and staff from Harlow College and Stansted Airport College had the opportunity to pay their respects at the College’s Remembrance Event, held to commemorate the signing of the armistice between the Allies of World War I and Germany, for the cessation of hostilities.

 As part of the event, held at Harlow College’s GlassBox Theatre, college students gave powerful readings from a selection of war poems, including ‘In Flanders Field’ by John McCrae, read by Policing student Neala, and ‘Normandy’ by Cyril Crain, read by Public Services students Katie and Freya.

There was also a moving rendition of the song ‘I Still Believe’ from the musical Miss Saigon, delivered with great emotion by Performing Arts students Toki and Olivia, before the event concluded with Public Services tutor Owen Sharpe reading the poignant ‘For the Fallen’ by Laurence Binyon, followed by a two-minute silence at 11am, as the nation fell silent to remember those who have been affected by war, conflict and acts of terror since World war II.

Owen spoke about what the event meant to him and his students, many of whom are already members of the army, police and air cadets. “I’m incredibly proud of all the students who spoke so eloquently today. It’s really good to see their enthusiasm and commitment to making today’s Remembrance event so successful.

“On a personal level, both of my grandfather’s saw active service in World war II. One was part of the D-Day Plus 2 operation, meaning he landed on the Normandy beaches two days after the original operation commenced, and the other was involved with minesweeping duties before being posted on to Burma (now Myanmar) and India.

“For me, today is all about remembering people who have no one to remember them and honouring their sacrifice”

Chloe Boyce, Tutorial Learning Coordinator, who organised the event said, “it is a pleasure to organise an event such as this as it is so important for spreading respect, kindness and empathy for others and working with positive and enthusiastic colleagues and students, who help bring it all together.”

 

FRONT ROW: Neela Hibbert, Harlow Ethnic Minority Umbrella and Owen Sharpe, Public Services tutor, with Harlow College students