Ampthill Armistice100 is a volunteer-led project to research and remember how the Great War affected Ampthill, and provide a focus for learning and reflection. The project has the support of Ampthill Town Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Building on Tommy’s Footprints (2016) the project delivered from July 2018, leading up to a programme of events in November 2018 which tied in with the national tribute of “Battle’s Over.”
The project engaged with community groups, schools and the business community. The public art and events helped to bring the town together and attract visitors.
Remembrance Sunday 2018
A hundred years on the people of Ampthill came together with passion and in droves to mark the Armistice Centenary and remember in many ways.
Blessed with sun, Remembrance Sunday started with a huge, parade from the Ampthill Camp Memorial and down past Tommy’s Footprints to The Cenotaph where historian John Hele read out the names of Ampthill’s Fallen. Onwards through the Market Place which was dressed with flags and hundreds of vibrant, knitted poppies for an intimate service in the churchyard at St. Andrew’s where the Revd Canon Michael Trodden presided at his final Remembrance Sunday.
In the afternoon there was opportunity to follow Tommy’s Footprints and visit the graves of seven of Ampthill’s Fallen who are buried in a quiet corner of St. Andrew’s. The King’s Arms Garden was open for peace and reflection, and many came to see the thought-provoking works of art.
In the evening Tommy’s Footprints and the Ampthill’s Fallen cross were lit as hundreds gathered in Ampthill Great Park to light the poppy-red beacon as part of Battle’s Over. Bishop Richard read a touching ‘Tribute to the Millions.’ The crowd wend their way into the Market Place where The Ossory Pump poppy installation was beautifully under-lit; a hint of the church bells drifting through.
What a day! Thank you to everyone who made Ampthill Armistice100 their own. We marked the Armistice Centenary with passion and pride, and together we remembered.
Acknowledgments
Ampthill Town Council and the Ampthill Armistice100 Working Group: Cllr Steve Addy (Mayor, AA100 Chair), Cllr Simon Peacock, Cllr Roy Tebbutt, Canon Revd Michael Trodden, Andy Melville, Bob Alexander, Brian Woodward, John Hele, Ron Almond, Mike Gonse, Phil Hines, Phil Nicholson, Sandy Hines, Stephen Hartley and Sue Garner.
Help and support from: Agate House, Alameda Middle School, Ampthill Baptist Church, Ampthill Business Chamber, Ampthill Christmas Tree Festival, Ampthill & District Camera Club, Ampthill & District Inner Wheel, Ampthill Festival, Ampthill Fireplaces, Ampthill Fireworks, Ampthill Micro-Museum, Ampthill Proms, Ampthill Rotary Club, Ampthill Town Band, Ampthill Town Cricket Club, Ampthill Town Football Club, Battle’s Over, BBC Three Counties Radio, Bedford Borough Council, Bedfordshire Police, Bedfordshire & Luton Archive Service, Bishop Richard of Bedford, Cambridge Wines, Dr Elisabeth Slack (Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire), Flitwick Boy’s Brigade, Flitwick Scouts, Friends’ of Ampthill Great Park, Friends’ of Kings Arms Garden, Jigsaw Club, Kelchner Brewery, Heritage Lottery Fund, Nimy Company Living History Group, Number 14, Parkside Hall, Redborne Upper School & Community College, Royal British Legion Flitwick Branch, Russell Lower School, St. Andrew’s Church, St. Andrew’s Bell Ringers, Stephen Platt, The Burying Party, The Fuddler, The Greensands Trust, The Hub Café, The Oracle, The White Hart, Waitrose, Wrest Park, Zonita Community Cinema.
Photography: Benedict Peet, David Knapp, Dennis Simpson, Ken Robinson, Mike Olney, Peter Gibbs, James Marston, Vic Nightingale and Vince Hayes.
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Tommy's Footprints..... 