SOMBER remembrance met celebration in a community event the like of which ‘Harmondsworth will never see again’.
As the 94 men of the Heathrow Villages who lost their lives in the First World War were commemorated, the communities of Harmondsworth, Sipson and the surrounding area came together to mark the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of hostilities.
“It was just a wonderful day, and everybody is asking how we can cap this next year,” said Veronica Rumsey, a Harmondsworth villager and one of the organisers.
“I don’t think we can, to be honest. It is something Harmondsworth will never see again.”
The commemoration – which included military re-enactors, the village’s famous antique fire engine and guest members of the Household Cavalry and representatives of Sikh regiments and youth organisations – took over the whole of the centre of the village on Sunday. Roads were shut for a parade through the village and the bells of St Mary’s Church were muffled for the occasion.
Up to 800 people came to the village, congregating in the main street for the parade, and on Potters Field where the day’s main action took place.
Guest of honour the Lord Lieutenant of Greater London, Sir David Brewer, was joined by Sir John Randall MP (Uxbridge and South Ruislip) and John McDonnell MP (Hayes and Harlington) plus Sir Richard Shepherd MP (Con, Aldridge-Brownhills) who used to live in the village.
The day began with lunch in The Five Bells pub for the VIPs, followed at 1pm by the reading of the 94 names by 94 volunteers.
The lives of the soldiers’ are being researched by Mrs Rumsey’s husband, Phil, as part of a First World War project that helped secure Heritage Lottery Fund money to help pay for the celebration.
“It is very personal to the village, remembering these men, ordinary men, farm labourers from this village, not heroes, not ‘mentioned in dispatches’”, said Mrs Rumsey.
“It is important after 100 years to remember these men.”
Visitors were able to see history projects and displays by children of the Harmondsworth and Heathrow primary schools in the church hall, and the day ended with a sunset ceremony and lowering of the flag conducted by sea cadets on Potter’s Field.
“This was a real community event,” said Mrs Rumsey.
“Everybody mucked in and it was absolutely marvellous.”
She has thanked everyone who helped make the day such a success, particularly Roy Barwick, Jane Crier, Sue Griffin, Eilesh Stone, Armelle Thomas, Neil Keveron, Stan Woods, Leslie O’Brian, Julia Ainsby, the Taylor family, Christine and Brian Tomlinson and Jane Melville, plus the Friends of the Great Barn, who helped with funding, and the National Farmers’ Union, who helped with publicity.
A filmmaker was employed to produce an official video of the day which should be available shortly.
