Newington History Group

A full week of Remembrance events in Newington marking 100 years since the end of World War One starts on Sunday when 50 large poppies will be attached to lampposts along the A2 and Church Lane. Each flower represents a villager who fell during conflicts in the last century.

The tribute is being made by Newington History Group (NHG) for the third successive year.

The group holds its monthly meeting on Thursday, (Nov 8th) when June Faulkner will talk about the Kent child evacuees who were displaced by another war, WW2. The talk is at 7:30pm in the Methodist Hall, Church Lane, and welcomes guests.

The village will be a refreshment stop on Friday (Nov 9th) for 100 veterans and Service personnel who are walking 100 miles from the Menin Gate, Ypres, to the Cenotaph in Whitehall to commemorate the 100 years. Called the Long Walk Home, it's organised by Haig Housing charity.

They are expected to come through Newington High Street between 3:00pm and 4:00pm, taking a break at the village hall.

The main event of the week will be the village's participation in the national commemorative Battle's Over event on Remembrance Sunday, November 11th.

Following the annual service and wreath laying at the church at 10:00am, NHG will hold a community event in the church and churchyard from 6:00pm until 7:30pm.

Attended by Paul Auston, Deputy Lieutenant of Kent; Cllr Ken Ingleton, Deputy Mayor of Swale; and Royal Engineers, it will be a non-religious event that will include a tribute by Newington CEP School pupils, a WWI exhibition, music and a special outdoor light display.

Along with Upchurch, Lower Halstow and other villages, towns and cities across the country, Newington will light a beacon at 7:00pm and follow it with the church bells ringing out the peace.

The Newington beacon is uniquely sited on a former WWI gun emplacement at Wormdale Farm. The site formed an inland defence line constructed by the Army in 1915 to halt any invading German advance on London.

The surrounding trenches, tunnels, pillboxes and barbed wire led to it being described as Kent's Somme. These were the only UK defences built for action rather than training purposes.

In time for the 100th anniversary, the book 'Newington Remembers - Our village and it's people at the time of the Great War' has been updated and re-printed. It's available from the group, priced £10.

NHG, which meets monthly on the second Thursday and organises other special events, seeks to unearth, preserve and promote the history of the village and neighbouring areas. Subs £15, guests £3.

For more details contact: 01795 842711
Email: thelma@newingtonhistory.co.uk

View the website: www.newingtonhistorygroup.btck.co.uk
Follow the History Group on Twitter: @newingtonhg

Richard Thompstone - Newington History Group

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