It was a great honour to be asked to write a feature article for the Armistice Centenary edition of The Church Times. The article can be viewed online on the Church Times website here.
The article describes the research I undertook into the names of the men listed on the war memorial in Christ Church Southgate and how this history was developed, by other members of the parish, during the course of the centenary.
"Researching the names of the 146 men listed on our war memorial over the past two years has, perhaps more than any other project, showed the relevance of exploring parish history today.
Uncovering their stories, seeing their faces, knowing something of their lives and where they lived, has brought home the impact of WW1 on our community - perhaps for the first time in generations. The global scale of their sacrifice has brought us closer to those affected by war in the world today.
Beginning by actively sharing details of the life and death of these men - going door-to-door at times, our parish history has been enriched by stories offered in return - to the extent that this year, the week long “Southgate Remembers” exhibition incorporates artefacts and family memorabilia brought to church by members of the parish; sharing often difficult and hitherto unspoken stories about their own heritage.
Members of the parish have curated a cycle of music and readings using the voices of men from the front. Cubs, scouts and local schoolchildren have produced poetry and pictures to help to give a voice and face to the names of the men about which we currently know little. Our choir, craft group, flower arrangers and bell ringers have all been inspired to use their skills to add to this story.
This is an Act of Remembrance in which we – the Living Stones of God’s church - are all members of the cast. We will remember them."
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