West Suffolk College hosts remembrance commemoration in Bury St Edmunds at Built Environment campus
About 400 people fell silent for the fallen at a remembrance commemoration held at a West Suffolk College campus in Bury St Edmunds.
Wednesday’s occasion at the Built Environment campus saw the unveiling of a large mural depicting a scene from D-Day to recognise the 80th anniversary of this battle.
A cenotaph was also revealed that will now become a permanent fixture at this campus to honour all those who have lost their lives in battle, as well as former staff and students who have passed.
A bench commemorating Normandy veterans, that has been restored by carpentry and joinery students after falling into disrepair, was placed next to the cenotaph and will now be a constant fixture at this facility, in Anglian Lane.
The service was overseen by Reverend Canon Tiffer Robinson, the vicar of St Mary’s and St Peter’s in Bury St Edmunds, who said he was ‘honoured to be invited to take the service’.
He was joined by the community including the armed forces, along with care home residents, the Royal British Legion, students from across the Eastern Education Group – which the college is part of - and youngsters from Stanton Community Primary School.
Carpentry and joinery lecturer Brian Tunbridge, who helped oversee the event, said: “This event saw the college come together.
“Our catering team provided teas and coffees, the carpentry team made a mural and cenotaph, public service students read tributes, the music department looked after the sound, performing arts sang a song and representatives from all of our campuses - including our CEO Dr Nikos Savvas - supported this event.
“It was very moving - and we are always proud to do our bit by looking back and reflecting on the importance of remembering everyone who has died trying to protect our freedom.”
Rion Lewis, 22, from Bury St Edmunds, is an assistant technician at West Suffolk College and he did most of the work in terms of creating the cenotaph and D-Day display.
He said: “The event went beautifully. It was a proud moment to see my work on display. It’s important to remember the sacrifices people made for the lives we have today.”
Rion was supported in his efforts by Ryan Frost, Dan Ridgewell and many others from the carpentry and joinery department at the college.
Rosie Bradbury, a class teacher at Stanton Community Primary School, worked with her students who sang two songs during the ceremony.
She said: “We didn’t realise how big this beautiful event would be, but they [the children] rose to the challenge. It’s hugely important we make time to remember.”
Reece, nine, a Stanton Primary pupil, said: “I’m quite emotional and happy after singing the songs. Remembrance means a lot to me.”
And fellow pupil from the school, Layla, 10, said: “I was proud to be singing. We do lots at school about remembrance.”
Major Alex Laws, from the Royal Engineers, said: “This is my second time here and it gets bigger and better every year. It’s very impressive what the students have put together. And it’s great to see all the different elements of the community come together at the college.”
Squadron Leader Tim Taylor, Officer Commanding (OC) of 2623 squadron at RAF Honington, said: “It’s very important we recognise the efforts of our predecessors and we were really impressed by the engagement shown by members of the college.
“It was also really nice that we recognised the efforts of our American comrades who are so much part of the history of RAF Honington.”
Companies who sponsored materials for these activities are BLC Construction Supplies, Brewers, Morgan Sindall and Anglian Scaffolding.
