WORLD WAR 1 COMMEMORATIONS IN EVINGTON

WORLD WAR 1 COMMEMORATIONS IN EVINGTON
Sir Peter Soulsby, City Mayor opened the refurbishment of Evington's war memorial
Sir Peter Soulsby, City Mayor opened the refurbishment of Evington’s war memorial

On 2nd August, the day WW1 broke out, over 80 people gathered by the War memorial in Evington Village. Cllr. Baljit Singh (Councillor for Evington ward) welcomed the people of Evington and City Mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby, who spoke about Evington’s World War I project and cut the ribbon that was raised up high by the Hamilton Air cadets, who had helped dig the flower beds.

The War Memorial had undergone renovations and was looking clean and resplendent with the new flower beds glowing with annual bedding. Cllr. Singh explained that the renovation project had involved cooperative working between Leicester City council and the Evington in Bloom group and he praised the community lead of Malcolm Toon and Authority lead of Penny Brown.

The commemorations continued in Evington Village Hall with talks by Malcolm Elliott, who spoke about conscientious objection to war, while acknowledging the bravery of people who gave up their lives in the terrible conflict.

A poem, entitled ‘Missing Heartbeats’ was read by the author Aikifah Aboobaker and told of a routine bus journey that was made poignantly significant as the passengers travelled to make that ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. (This poem will be printed in full in our special October WW1 edition). Jan Macdonald and Helen Pettman then spoke about continuing the process of working together in Evington to bring people of all backgrounds, cultures and belief traditions together.

Friends of Evington working in cooperation with Leicester City Council, have also been successful in securing heritage lottery funding of £5,900 to continue with the War Memorial Project.  The project involves Research of Evington as it was 100 years ago, at the start of the First World War (FWW).  Creating a series of guided tours visiting local buildings and landmarks connected with the FWW.  Producing a booklet based on the researching of local archives and private collections.  Visits by storytellers to schools to share the local FWW heritage and to produce written and art work connected with the stories.

Evington Echo

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