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Post by drew on Nov 6, 2006 4:22:58 GMT
 Ben Shepard to host Silence in the Square
The Royal British Legion is extremely proud to announce Ben Shephard as host of Silence in the Square, the mass participation Two Minute Silence event in Trafalgar Square, at 11am on 11th November.
The host of GMTV and Xtra Factor said: “The Two Minute Silence in Trafalgar Square is a unique opportunity for everyone of all ages to come and reflect on the sacrifices of our servicemen and women both past and present. I am honoured to be part of this poignant occasion. I know how hectic Saturday mornings are with all the commitments every family has these days, but I urge you all to take just a short time out of your busy lives to come and join us in this silence. “
Stuart Gendall, Director of Corporate Communications at The Royal British Legion, said: “We are delighted that Ben Shephard is supporting us and to have such a familiar face make time to host the Two Minute Silence in Trafalgar Square. With so many British troops currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan we are all aware of the cost of modern conflict and it is so important to take time to reflect upon it. We echo Ben’s invitation for anyone who is close to London on Armistice day to come to Trafalgar Square to pause and reflect at 11am.”
The Silence in the Square will end with the traditional Reveille from a lone bugler and a fly-past of four Typhoon aircraft by the RAF. All those present at the event will be invited to place Poppies in the fountains at Trafalgar Square in a symbolic act after the silence. People are asked to gather together from 10am at the Square, and there will be a live performance by Christmas number 1 hopefuls, the all–girl Classical group, All Angels.www.thepressdesk.com/britishlegion/pressrelease.php?releaseid=3793Heading modified for clarity, by Dave |
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Post by drew on Nov 9, 2006 14:51:06 GMT
 Come along to Trafalgar Square this Saturday from 10am to mark the Two Minute Silence. GMTV's Ben Shephard will be hosting the event, during which 13 year-old Rebecca (pictured) will recite her poem on Remembrance. Music will be provided by All Angels. Click here for more information and to read Rebecca's poem. (see below)www.britishlegion.org.uk/ Rebecca the new Rupert? The Legion heralds schoolgirl poet
A Year Eight Pupil from Enfield has been singled out as a modern-day Rupert Brooke or Siegfried Sassoon by The Royal British Legion.
The Royal British Legion which receives thousands of poems about conflict and the human sacrifice of war every year from members of the public, was so impressed by Rebecca Sullivan's Poem 'There Lie Forgotten Men' that they have invited her to read her work in front of thousands of people gathered for 'Silence in the Square' a mass Two Minute Silence in Trafalgar Square this Saturday (11th November).
Stuart Gendall, Director of Corporate Communications at The Royal British Legion, said: " We were genuinely moved by Rebecca's wonderful words and we feel that she should share her talent with others at our special event on Saturday. I would like to urge everyone who can to come to Trafalgar Square this Saturday from 10am for the Silence in the Square."
The build up to ‘Silence in the Square’ will begin from 10am and will include Rebecca’s recital, live performances by Christmas Number 1 hopefuls, the All-Angels and Charterhouse School Choir. GMTV and Xtra Factor host Ben Shephard will count down to 11.00am when the nation will fall silent for two minutes.
The silence will end with the traditional Reveille from a lone bugler and a fly-past of four Typhoon aircraft by the RAF. Those present will be invited to place Poppies in the fountains at Trafalgar Square after the silence.
There Lie Forgotten Men
They lie there in their thousands
The last rays of sunlight
Catching the white of the gravestones
Lending a poignancy to the moment
Numbering in their thousands they lay
Deserving remembrance
And yet the scarred green fields are empty
Nothing remains here
The processions of people vanished with the years
Their sacrifice all but forgotten
She stands there alone
At the edge of the silent place
And she is shocked
New wars brew and these forgotten men
Will play no part in them
The dead silence warn no ears but hers
In great halls, in moments of great decision
What they fought for is forsaken
And by days end new gravestones
Appear on the blood red ground
She finds what she seeks
'Sgt John Malley Age 27'
His life brutally ended
And she stands by his grave
But he can give no answers
And she weeps for him
For the empty hole he left behind
And for the new emptiness
Soon to join the black chasm.
And her tears join the flood.
Rebecca Sullivan
www.thepressdesk.com/britishlegion/pressrelease.php?releaseid=3799 |
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Post by richnorri on Nov 9, 2006 15:05:22 GMT
Thanks for posting the article, Drew.
That is a very moving poem, so I added Rebecca's photograph to your post.
Best Wishes,
Richard
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Post by postscript on Nov 11, 2006 23:24:13 GMT
An extraordinarily mature poem for one so young with singular insight. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
Peter S.
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Post by postscript on Nov 11, 2006 23:36:00 GMT
This seems the best thread under which to say: WELL DONE GIRLS FOR A SUPERB ALBERT HALL RENDITION You performed with superb confidence and excellent presentation and performance. You've got what it takes ladies. You are going to be okay! Well done. Also interesting to see you in black dresses. Perhaps some white decoration in a reverse style of your white dresses with black adornments? But those dresses give you that 'little black number' every girl needs in her wardrobe to cover any and all contingencies. Peter S. |
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Post by Dave on Nov 14, 2006 15:14:04 GMT
13/11/2006 14:20:25
The silent square
Trafalgar Square fell silent on Saturday November 11th for an Armistice Day commemorative ceremony organised by the Royal British Legion (RBL).
Traffic halted at 11:00 GMT as the two-minute silence came to the Silence on the Square event, attended by veterans and thousands of members of the public.
The silence ended with a fly-past of four RAF Typhoon jets, as spectators scattered the famous fountains with thousands of poppy petals.
The RBL ensured that tourists too observed the silence by handing out leaflets in seven languages beforehand.
The ceremony was one of hundreds around the country honouring soldiers' sacrifices in past and present wars held on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
In a modern touch, All Angels took to the stage in Trafalgar Square to perform their cover of Robbie Williams' Angels – with proceeds going to the RBL.
At the Cenotaph on Whitehall, the names of all 121 British soldiers who have died in Afghanistan and Iraq since 2003 were read out.
Saturday night saw the Queen join veterans for the Royal Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall.
www.monopolyonline.co.uk/newsarticle.php?month=November&year=2006&article_ID=17949785 |
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Post by drew on Nov 20, 2006 16:49:13 GMT
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Post by richnorri on Nov 21, 2006 9:26:56 GMT
Thanks for posting the thumbnails and the links, Drew. There are several more photographs on the Royal British Legion's website, including this one:-  Click on the thumbnail to see who's standing behind the three ladies! Best Wishes, Richard |
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Post by Caitlin on Nov 21, 2006 23:16:45 GMT
Thanks for the pictures!
Now, where I have seen that gentleman before???
<3 Caite
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Post by richnorri on Nov 23, 2006 16:24:46 GMT
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Post by postscript on Nov 24, 2006 20:23:44 GMT
Thanks for posting the thumbnails and the links, Drew. There are several more photographs on the Royal British Legion's website, including this one:- Click on the thumbnail to see who's standing behind the three ladies! Best Wishes, Richard Well done, Richard. We'll have you on stage with a microphone in your hand shortly! Peter S. |
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Post by richnorri on Nov 25, 2006 9:01:09 GMT
Thank you Peter, but I don't think I could compete with All Angels or Hayley. I'm not quite so photogenic either! :exit:
Best Wishes,
Richard :jester:
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