BIGGER than usual attendances were the theme at all four of the Remembrance Day services in Frensham and Dockenfield last Sunday, held to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

Fittingly, some 100 people stood silently paying their respects in the sunshine at the 10.15am service at Frensham war memorial.

Many of them then marched the quarter mile to form part of a packed congregation St Mary’s Church. There was standing room only for the 250 adults and 30 children present.

One lovely feature of the service was a ‘Field of Remembrance’ placed near the altar. Wooden crosses had been made by hand, each bearing the name of one of the 71 residents of the parish who had fallen in the First and Second World Wars.

In poignant tribute, members of the congregation came forward to place each cross individually among the poppies on the Field of Remembrance.

The church bell ringers tolled ‘11 Bells’ at 11am to herald the beginning of the two-minute silence.

The next service was at 12.30pm at the war memorial in Dockenfield, which was attended by about 70 people, a significant percentage of the village’s small population.

A special feature was the arrival of three ponies, ridden by long standing residents, standing silently in tribute throughout the moving service.

The final service was at the Royal British Legion, back in Frensham, at 1pm, followed by a special lunch served in the Legion club itself and attended by 70 people.

The Last Post was played by a bugler to precede the two-minute silence at each of the three outdoor services, which were conducted with grace and sensitivity by the Rev Jane Walker, vicar of Frensham and Dockenfield.

In Rowledge, residents turned out in force for a series of commemorative events to remember the First World War Armistice centenary while raising funds for military mental health charity Combat Stress.

A service at St James’ Church was led by Reverend Russell Gant on Sunday, followed by the annual two-minute silence and laying of wreaths at the war memorial.

Tommy figures from the There But Not There campaign were placed around the village and poignant artwork was created by Rowledge Primary School students.

As well as historic walks around the area, senior residents were treated to afternoon tea on Saturday, before a Thai and Tipple night, consisting of Thai food, artisan gins and music from ‘My Man William’, was enjoyed by all. Songs around the piano at the Hare and Hounds pub brought the weekend to a close.

Money raised is still being counted, but will be donated to Combat Stress and, if enough was raised, used to buy a commemorative bench.

Event organiser Mandy Main said: “It is so hard to pick a highlight as there were so many things on offer.

“But the success shows the ‘can do’ attitude shown in the village during the war is still alive.

“I’m so proud to have helped organise an event at such an important anniversary.”

Rev Gant said: “It was a great honour for me to lead our community’s act of Remembrance. As we marked the centenary of the end of the First World War it was especially poignant to have our children involved in the leading of prayers, readings and the laying of wreaths at the war memorial.

“I am extremely grateful for the work of a number of very dedicated local people who made the various events of the remembrance weekend go so smoothly.”

(Frensham pictures courtesy of Simon Claiden)