Swanmore remembers

In an overflowing church old and young came together to remember not just those who gave their lives in two world wars, but those who have made the ultimate sacrifice since, and those who are serving around the world today.

Just before 11:00 the congregation of over 250 left the church to gather around the War Memorial for prayers, the laying of wreaths and the two minutes' silence.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders Fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders Fields.

- John McCrae

On Sunday 25th June, the Revd Mary Morfill  - who as a Deacon has been Assistant Curate at St Barnabas church for four years - was ordained Priest at Portsmouth Cathedral, by the Rt Revd  Kenneth Stevenson, Bishop of Portsmouth.