Loughborough’s Remembrance Parade and Service is a chance to gather to remember those who have fallen in conflict, to give thanks for their sacrifice and to pray for peace. This year De Lisle students Rosalie and Ashton attended to lay a wreath on behalf of the college community.

The service was a poignant reminder of the value of remembering. The words from John’s Gospel were those commanding us to love and the reminder that laying down one’s life for one’s friends is the greatest love possible. The Bishop of Loughborough, the Right Reverend Saju Muthalaly spoke in his sermon about how war brings both the best and the worst out in people. The best is the bravery, the willingness to give all, including one’s life and the worst is the savagery and brutality of conflict. The two minutes of silence was marked with poppies cascading from the Carillion and concluded with the sounding of a World War I whistle. De Lisle students joined with many others in laying their wreath – it was good to see so many other De Lisle students doing the same on behalf of their uniformed groups. There was a really impressive turn out of De Lisle students across all sections of Cadets, Boys and Girls Brigade, the different Scouting and Guiding groups and providing accompaniment with the Hathern Band.

Rosalie says, “It was important to take forward the prayers of our school from our own services on Friday to the remembrance service on Sunday and to take part in remembering those who have died both in the World Wars and in recent conflicts. I felt proud to represent De Lisle and to be part of the community of Loughborough.”

Ashton reflected, “On Remembrance Sunday, we had the privilege to be able to represent De Lisle College in laying a wreath down at the Loughborough War Memorial in commemoration of the millions of soldiers who sacrificed their lives in wars worldwide. This event marks the start of a De Lisle tradition in which representative students of the school in years to come will be able to replicate. It was such an honour to be there paying our respects to the soldiers of whom we rely on for our freedom today.”

More photos from the service and parade, including many De Lisle students attending with other uniformed groups, can be viewed here.

Mrs Jinks, Rosalie and Ashton