Gheluvelt Park commemorates the Centenary of Armistice Day
31st October 2018
This morning the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regimental Association hosted a ceremony at the Worcestershire Regimental Stone in Worcester’s Gheluvelt Park to mark the anniversary of the Battle of Gheluvelt and celebrate the park’s inclusion in the Fields in Trust Centenary Fields Legacy Programme.
The Centenary Fields Legacy Programme was launched in 2014 to champion green spaces and their war memorials, and to protect and honour the memory of the millions who contributed to the war effort a century ago. Fields in Trust are working in partnership with the Royal British Legion’s “Thank You” project to highlight the nation’s gratitude to the generation who served in WWI.
Fields in Trust are showcasing one protected space each day at 11am on their website in the run-up to November 11. Read more here.
Today's ceremony follows the annual Ghelulvelt Memorial Service held on Sunday 28th October, the 104th anniversary, when Project Manager Adrian Gregson laid a wreath on behalf of the Worcestershire World War 100 Project
Gheluvelt Park will be showcased by the Trust on October 31 to mark the anniversary of the Battle of Gheluvelt in Belgium in 1914. The park, managed by Worcester City Council, is named after this triumphant battle in commemoration of the Worcester Regiment’s victory and in remembrance of the 400 soldiers who fought and the 187 who were killed or wounded on that day.
Members of the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regimental Association held a short wreath-laying ceremony at The Worcestershire Regimental Stone in the park, with standards and bugle, to commemorate the part played by those on the front line and home front in WWI.
Gheluvelt Park and its Regimental Stone represent a vital part of Worcester’s heritage, demonstrating the War’s impact on our city. The park plays a significant part in making the First World War relevant to today’s generation by fully embracing the spirit of the centenary year.
Councillor James Stanley, Chair of Worcester City Council’s Communities Committee, said: “The City Council is delighted to demonstrate our gratitude to the World War I generation in a unique way by participating in the Centenary Fields Legacy Programme. Protecting Gheluvelt Park means the local community will always have a safe place for play, exercise or a quiet moment of reflection. The commemorative ceremony on October 31 will be a fine way to pay tribute and say ‘thank you’ to those who put their lives on the line for our country a century ago.”
Nigel Fish, Chairman of The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regimental Association, said: “The Association is very proud to have a special link with Gheluvelt Park through our Regimental forefathers, especially the 2nd Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment who went down in history 104 years ago as being the last of the reserves at the frontline of the Battle of Ypres. Gheluvelt Park is a lasting memorial to these men and their heroic actions on this day. ”
Tim Phillips, Chairman of Trustees at Fields in Trust, said: “We are honoured to include Gheluvelt Park in our national programme to commemorate World War I. Protection of this site not only recognises the sacrifices made by those who gave their lives during the War, but also ensures that future generations have a valuable green space to enjoy as a living legacy.”