Trafalgar Day Act of Remembrance

As the noon-day sun shone brightly on a beautifully crisp Autumn day (Satruday 20th October), young and old gathered to commemorate Trafalgar Day and lay wreaths at the foot of the plaque which honours the 3,000 sailors buried in the Pleasaunce.

As the trumpet sounded the Last Post, members of the Royal Navy Veterans Association and young navy cadets lowered the Standards in moving tribute to all those who gave their lives at sea in defence of Great Britain (for more photos click here).

 

The service was led by the Rev. Derek Clacey, vicar of Christ Church, Trafalgar Road and attended by around 100 locals, cadets and veterans as well as local dignitaries, such as the Deputy Mayor and Councillors Mary Mills and Dick Quibell.

After the short service The Friends of East Greenwich Pleasaunce laid on tea, coffee, cakes and hot rum toddies (dark navy rum, lemon and lime juice, muscovado sugar and hot water) which proved particularly popular with the navy veterans.

Local children also showed off some of the artefacts and memorabilia which they have chosen to go inside a time capsule to mark 150 years of the Pleasaunce's existence as a naval cemetery. The capsule will not be opened until 2157.

  

The Friends also displayed the mosaic they commissioned to mark the spot where the time capsule will be buried (the exact location is still under discussion).

Some members favour burying the capsule near the main entrance to the Park and some suggest putting it next to the new commemorative Tulip Tree that has been planted in the dog-free zone (see below). If you would like to express your view simply add a comment to this article or send an email to pleasauncefriends@hotmail.co.uk

(Liriodendron Tulipfera 'Fastigiatum' or 'Tulip Tree')