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Moving tribute to the fallen as Stradishall Church wins role in national campaign




Transparent military figures are seated on pews at Stradishall's St Margaret's Church after the village won a bid to host an art installation marking the Armistice Centenary.

St Margaret's church Stradishall has been awarded 10 life-size sitting silhouettes as part of the nationwide "There But Not There" campaign. ...Pictured: Jane Helliwell....PICTURE: Mecha Morton... .. (4801983)
St Margaret's church Stradishall has been awarded 10 life-size sitting silhouettes as part of the nationwide "There But Not There" campaign. ...Pictured: Jane Helliwell....PICTURE: Mecha Morton... .. (4801983)

It is part of the There But Not There initiative, which aims to commemorate those who died in World War One, educate younger generations about what led to the deaths of 888,246 British and Commonwealth service personnel, and heal today's veterans by raising funds.

Being awarded the silhouettes in the national campaign is something of a coup for the village.

Jane Helliwell, secretary of the parochial church council, said fellow member Philip Rous had launched the bid, while a series of events was planned to coincide with the campaign.

"We weren't expecting to be successful and be awarded 10," said Jane. "It is quite different to see them in the church."

A free exhibition of the silhouettes will be held from November 3-11, 11am-4pm daily.

Villagers have been asked to find out what their own ancestors did between 1914-18 and bring their findings along to the exhibition, with a series of research workshops held at Kedington Library last month.

"It is going to be very interesting, as we have no idea what is coming," added Jane.

Meanwhile, children at the village's Happy Days Nursery have been making paper poppies to go on display, while villagers have collected empty plastic drink bottles to transform into painted poppies.

Other events in Stradishall to mark the Armistice Centenary include:

  • Hundon resident and historian Jock Whitehouse is gathering material for a display to commemorate the beginning of the RAF in 1918.
  • A benefice service is being held in the church on November 4, at 10am.
  • On November 11, at 12.30pm, there will be a prayer service at the church along with a ringing of the bells to coincide with the national ringing of church bells, while there may also be a 'walk of witness' involving the current occupants of the homes of those who never returned from the war.
  • Speaker Mike Cerrino will visit the village on November 7 at 7.30pm to give a talk about art medals of World War One at Sterling House Conference Centre. Entrance is £2 on the door.