MenuCouncillor Morrison and I went to this event on Tuesday 10th September. It was a service of peace and reconciliation attended by representatives from England, Scotland and France. It was a wonderful sight to see so many in full Scottish regalia as well as Pipers and a party of Coldstream Guards in Uniform.
We assembled for the procession in a small marquee and, after refreshments, paraded to the sound of a lone drumbeat into the larger marquee where the service was to take place. Each representative group carried a banner, flag, pennant or symbol from their community and on entry announced to the gathered assembly of dignitaries and members of the public, the place they came from. Whilst seats had initially been reserved for those taking part in the procession, the congregation who had assembled- this was an open event- had surpassed expectations and so all the seats had been utilised and there was standing room only.
The service itself was very varied with a blend from traditional hymns sung to the familiar tunes to pipers to modern compositions from a community choir who had come together from both sides of the border for the commemoration. There were biblical readings, prayers composed by those who took part in the peace pilgrimage from Scottish towns and Durham- places the armies had marched from for the battle- and a poem composed by the local schoolchildren delightfully spoken by one of them.
However we both felt that the address given by Lady Steel was exceptional. She spoke, with many illustrations from words and poetry throughout the ages from the time of the battle, through the centuries of wars including the American Civil War, the World Wars to the recent conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan and the troubles in Syria. She eloquently showed how despite the different times, the pride in defence of one’s nation, the horror, torment and suffering experienced, the desire for peace and reconciliation afterwards were the same.
Afterwards we spoke with the representative of the French Army who came from a small village in the Champagne area and discovered that his forebearers had marched with the French Guards to the King at Flodden!
It was a moving, emotional occasion where we felt privileged to represent our community.
Councillor Helen Lewis