THE Lapford Remembers group was formed under the umbrella of Lapford Project 2000 several months ago with the specific objective of commemorating the centenary of the Armistice.

Lapford Project 2000 (known as LP2K) was originally established with the purpose of organising events, etc. to celebrate the new millennium. Twenty years on and it is still doing it!

Caroline Noon, on behalf of the group, explained: "Much has been done prior to November 2018. The Lapford War Memorial now has an Historic England Grade II listing thanks to Lapford Parish Council, Lapford Parish Church has secured a War Graves Commission Plaque for display on the Church Green, Flanders Poppy seeds have been sown in the village and special Lapford Remembers classes have been included on the schedules for the Horticultural Society’s Summer and Autumn shows.

"Funding of £150 has been granted by Lapford Parish Council, which is also organising the refurbishment of the village pumps complete with red tops, hopefully in time for the anniversary.

"The first of several displays, ’The Story of the War Memorial’, has already taken place in The Ark in the centre of the village.

"Lapford had one of the first war memorials in Devon and this told its story.

"From mid-October the new display ’Forgotten Faces’ reveals the forgotten faces of some of Lapford’s young war casualties who are named on the War Memorial.

CHURCHYARD TOUR

"The first of a series of events begins tomorrow, Saturday, November 3, with a Churchyard Tour ’Stories from the Grave’.

"The lives of some of Lapford’s colourful characters from the ‘Great War Years’ will be recounted during a walk around St Thomas’s Churchyard.

"To join the tour, drop in at The Ark from 10am to 12 noon for the next available walk.

"Tomorrow, Saturday, November 3, also sees our Commemorative Bonfire and Fireworks at Lapford Mill. There will be the usual build-a-guy, mulled wine, full bar, barbecue plus stew and dumplings as well as the fireworks at 6.45pm and the bonfire at 7.15pm. Entry is by voluntary donation and any profits will be redistributed to Lapford organisations."

’FROM THE VILLAGE’

Caroline added: "On Friday, November 9, Lapford Amateur Dramatic Society will present its Variety Show ’From the Village’ in the Victory Hall.

"In the early 20th century Lapford regularly entertained itself with social evenings featuring songs, poetry and playlets performed by home-grown talent. LADS will revive this idea with turns from villagers of today.

"This event will include the inaugural performance of ’For the Fallen’ by the newly-formed Lapford Choir. Tickets are £10 (£8 for seniors) and are available from Rachel Phillips on 01363 83478.

"Your ticket will include a World War One supper and pudding.

"All the talent performing in the show are from Lapford: Alex Gater – Musical Director, World War One and World War Two favourites sung by Paul Adams, Cat Seymour, Kate Wilkie and Steve Munday, Poems by two of the children from the village – Ayana and Christian, Letters from the Trenches read by Ian Wilkie, Stand Up Comedy from Peter Heal, Poem by Peter Lacey, Song – ’Gallipoli’ – by Paul Adams, Audience sing-a-long led by Peter Heal, Lapford Choir led by Cat Seymour, Two ’Blackadder’ sketches by Paul Adams and Co., Lapford Soldiers by David Garton, ’Charlie’ by Roger Janes, Welcome by Revel King and Queen, Intermezzo by Alex and Sarah, Dance - Emily and Ayana, “The Last Post” and Poppies, Two Minutes Silence, and the ’National Anthem’."

POPPIES

She added: "Throughout Remembrancetide the war memorial will be floodlit and the village decorated in poppies, centering on the Village Green. The Parish Church will be beautifully decorated and also host a display telling the stories of the men from Lapford who gave their lives in World War One.

"The many knitters and crocheters of the village have been busy hand-crafting lovely woollen poppies. At the last count these numbered almost 1,200! By popular request, these will now come together to form a stunning display in the Church.

"An additional supply of poppies, originally shown at the Devon County Show in May, will be displayed in the glass porch of The Ark which will be visible from the Church, the Village Green, and the road passing through the village.

"The Ark will also host group-relevant displays (upstairs) from various organisations within the village, e.g. the Horticultural Society, Book Club, Football Club, Mothers’ Union and Ladies of Lapford Groups. Please do call in and have a look.”

’OH! WHAT A LOVELY WAR’

Caroline explained that Lapford Cinema will present “Oh! What a Lovely War” on Saturday, November 10, again in the Victory Hall.

She continued: "Richard Attenborough’s iconic 1969 comedy musical film redefined views on World War One.

"The film features marching songs and portrays some of the more significant incidents of the war, from the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand to the Christmas truce between British and German soldiers in no-man’s land.

BEACON

"After the film the beacon will be lit on the Village Green. On August 3, 1914, Britain’s Foreign Minister, Sir Edward Grey, looked out of his office window as the gas lights were being lit along London’s Mall, and remarked: ’The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime.’

"Our country was about to be plunged into the darkness of the First World War, and it would be four long years before Britain and Europe would again experience the light of peace.

"One hundred years after the guns fell silent thousands of beacons are being lit across the UK to symbolise the ‘light of hope’ that emerged from the darkness of war. Tickets will be available on the door."

On Remembrance Sunday the Christians Together Service in Lapford Parish Church at 9.30am will include another performance by the newly formed Lapford Choir and be followed by the usual Remembrance Service at Lapford War Memorial at 10.45am.

Then, at 12 noon a half-muffled peal of bells will begin.

A full peal of 5,040 changes will be attempted on the church bells for only the fourth time since they were installed in 1797.

Also on Remembrance Sunday there will be a bring-and-share Community Lunch from 12.30pm in the Victory Hall adjacent to the Village Green.

Commemorative events continue with the Pub Quiz in aid of The Royal British Legion on Monday, November 12 at The Old Malt Scoop.

Caroline explained: "Teams of up to six are invited with a suggested donation of £5 per person. Nibbles will be provided.

"The quizmasters this year will be Ian Wilkie and Paul Adams. Hosts Trevor and Linda Voaden have generously provided the first prize of Sunday Lunch for six at The Scoop.

TALK

"On November 24 there will be an illustrated talk ’Lapford Then and Now’ again in the Victory Hall. Finally, next year, to coincide with the centenary of the Victory Hall and Lapford War Memorial, will see the launch of ’Lapford in the Great War Years’, a book written by local historian David Garton.

"The Lapford Remembers organising group was successful in its application to the Armed Forces Covenant Fund for 10 ’There But Not There’ Tommies.

"These stunning silhouettes will be displayed in the village throughout Remembrancetide. Some will be at The Congregational Church and some in Lapford Parish Church, all coming together for the Remembrance Sunday Service in the Parish Church. In accordance with the ’Remembered’ charity aims, it is hoped that these installations will inspire, educate and heal."

SILHOUETTE

Caroline said that Lapford Project 2000 has also commissioned its own version of the Royal British Legion’s “Silent Soldier” based on the Lapford Remembers 1918-2018 logo.

She said: “We have invested in a stainless steel version in the hope that it will last for many years. It is planned to install the silhouette on the Village Green, surrounded by poppies. Both the ’There But Not There’ Tommies and our own ’Silent Soldier’ Silhouette are now ours to keep and re-use in future years."

She added that during this year’s period of Remembrance there will be various thought-provoking displays throughout the village.

"She said: "These will include some fascinating World War One artefacts loaned for display and a folder of World War One poetry will be created.

"Lapford Project 2000 is also collecting memories and stories associated with World War One. If you have any accounts you would be willing to share, we would love to know about them and to include them as part of our village Remembrance.

"Contributions can be written down and emailed to David Garton at: [email protected] or handed in at The Ark.

WELCOME

"If you prefer to tell your story for someone else to record, that can be arranged. Stories do not have to be about local people or events, but they do have to be true. We look forward to hearing your tales.

"Everyone is welcome to any or all of these events and we hope as many as possible will take time to visit the poignant exhibitions. We would like to extend a special welcome to members of the armed forces – serving and veterans – and their families, and those in our community who might be older, lonely, or otherwise feel isolated to come and join with the many events organised under the umbrella of Lapford Remembers.

"In addition to all of the above there are several surprises in store! Watch out for some interesting additions to the landscape throughout Remembrancetide!"